Take steps to introduce 4-year UG courses, higher education dept directs state varsities

In the letter, UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain stated that the new curriculum and framework for undergraduate courses would ensure a “holistic education” for students by allowing them to “experience courses in multiple disciplines with multiple entry and exit options, flexible degree options with single major, double major, multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary education, integration with vocational courses, internship, skill and ability enhancement courses.”
State-aided colleges and universities in West Bengal currently offer three-year undergraduate courses.

According to sources, in its letter, the UGC has also directed education departments to develop a new curriculum for the four-year courses. “If the new rules in higher education are not followed, it may be a problem for colleges and universities to get UGC grants,” said a senior education department official.

However, the new curriculum has met with criticism from West Bengal College and University Teachers’ Association (WBCUTA) and student bodies.
“Not getting a UGC grant is not the only reason why a grant may be discontinued, there are many others. The state government is trying to implement the new education policy of the BJP-RSS,” said Keshav Bhattacharya, a WBCUTA member.

CPI(M) student wing Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has accused the Mamata Banerjee-led state government of adopting the “BJP’s policy”. “The TMC government is adopting BJP’s education policy even as they are saying that they are against the BJP. This proves that they are hiding behind a mask. We will continue our fight against the new education policy,” said state president of SFI Pratikur Rahman.