Undergraduate Curriculum Framework gets final nod from DU’s Executive Council

The UGCF had been passed in Academic Council on February 9 with 11 dissents. The dissenting members argued that in the new curriculum framework, there is a reduction in workload, and a substantial increase in the number of papers students will have to study per semester, of which, however, most have been assigned fewer credits. They argued that “despite the overload, the depth will be sacrificed”.

In the dissent note Friday, the three dissenting members–– advocate Ashok Agarwal, advocate Rajpal Singh Pawar and elected teachers’ representative Seema Das—said, “We the following members, record our dissent on the agenda regarding UGCF 2022. The members raised concerns. It is extremely unfortunate that these concerns have been brushed aside in passing this hurried half-bake restructuring. We also urge the university administration to put on the agenda item and adopt the 5th December letter of MHRD. We demand absorption first before any restructuring of the academic curriculum is undertaken by the university.”

Agarwal said the UGCF along with MEES (multiple entry and exist system) and ABC (Academic Bank Credit) regulations is “a major overhauling”.

“DU is known for its undergraduate studies. Given the number of students and teachers involved in UG studies, it is important to tread with caution and not repeat mistakes of the FYUP implemented in 2013. Over 70,000 students take admission every year in UG courses. Serious concerns were raised about the adverse impact on the quality of education and teaching jobs. We urged for wider consultation and feedback from statutory bodies at Department and college levels. It is a deja vu situation for DU— a repeat of FYUP 2013 fiasco in making,” he said.

The UGCF is an attempt to include two of the most talked-about features of the National Education Policy (NEP)—the multi-disciplinarily and multiple exit points (leaving the course at the end of each year with a different degree). The new draft has a total of 176 credits on offer. As per the new framework, to get a four-year UG degree with a major in a specific discipline, students need to get a minimum of 50 per cent of credits (88) in that discipline.

Students who complete the FYUP in more than one discipline—like what the erstwhile programme courses were—will need to earn 80 credits in a specific discipline to get an Honours degree with a major in that discipline. Students can also get a minor in a specific discipline by earning 28 credits.

Some EC members also brought up the maternity leave issue, even though it was not on the agenda.

“Despite the adoption of the maternity leave benefits provision in the Executive Council and its notification for implementation, the college administration is delaying in granting maternity leave benefits to the teachers citing technical grounds. The college administration/ authorities concerned are urged to grant the maternity leave benefits to the staff/teachers with immediate effect,” they said in a note.