The West Bengal higher education department has directed state-run universities to start taking “appropriate steps” to introduce four-year undergraduate courses from the forthcoming academic year in tandem with the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The instructions were a part of a letter sent by the department to all state-run universities on Friday. The government had also attached a letter from UGC secretary Rajnish Jain which highlighted the reasons behind introducing the new framework.
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.
indianexpress
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