JOIN USTeachers to go all out with stir
The Delhi University Teachers’ Association called a general body meeting on Sunday, and passed a unanimous decision against the four-year graduation programme. DUTA said it will intensify its agitation against the new structure.
In the meeting, resolutions of 32 college staff associations were read out with teachers raising concern regarding dilution of curriculum, among others.
“The FYUP is against the National Education Policy. It will place students admitted to the varsity at a disadvantage in employment and postgraduate educational opportunities. It will make education more expensive and adversely impact the marginalised and disadvantaged sections of society,” said the DUTA resolution.
“This is against the goal of social justice in higher education. The multiple exit points will legitimise dropouts. The structure is ill-designed in its attempt to combine academic pursuits, vocational skills and parts of school curricula. It will produce students who are proficient in none,” said DUTA, adding that vacant teaching posts should be filled before implementation of FYUP.
‘SOL ignored’
DUTA said the restructuring has ignored over a lakh students in DU’s School of Open Learning.
The meeting rejected the position taken by the human resource development ministry and the University Grants Commission regarding halting FYUP, which will undermine the university’s autonomy.
“If the government remains insensitive to the fate of a large number of students and is not willing to allow a nation-wide debate before implementation of FYUP, it will confirm the apprehension that this insidious restructuring of DU is being carried out at its behest,” said the resolution.
The resolution pointed out that DUTA and teachers against implementation of FYUP will campaign against it, and “combat its forced implementation by undertaking all forms of agitations in the coming days.”
The DUTA secretary showed his reservations regarding fighting against FYUP and complaining about less noise on the issue of ad hoc teachers. Recently, several DUTA general body meetings did not come out with any resolution due to teachers’ group being divided on the issue of supporting FYUP.
“This meeting was illegally convened as 11 DUTA executive members rejected it. It was also Sunday. Why do we give a chance to the administration to start calling us on our off day?” said Aditya Narayan Mishra, DUTA executive member.
At the last minute, the venue of the meeting was also changed.
“The principal of Ramjas College, who allowed us to hold our meeting in the college, later cancelled our booking. We held an open-air meeting. It is sad that teachers of this university are not getting space to debate about a decision that will affect us all,” said a teacher present at the meeting.
Committee to keep tab
The announcement of DUTA general body meeting was followed by another announcement by the authorities, which decided to hold a meeting of the empowered committee members (foundational courses) under FYUP on Sunday, reports DHNS.
“The meeting was to interact with members who have been involved in formulating foundational courses (FC). It was decided that May 20 onwards, there will be a workshop for teachers to make them understand the new graduation structure,” said an empowered committee member, adding that the meeting also decided that a central monitoring committee for FC will be formed. Regular feedback will be taken from students.
“The philosophy behind FC is that it focuses on hands-on learning and is less theoretical. The idea to call the meeting was to explain to committee members the nuances of FC and how they should further explain to teachers interested in teaching them,” added the member.
Open days
DU’s ‘open day’ for queries related to this academic session’s admissions will be on May 13 and 14 in North and South Campuses.
“It is a new structure and I am sure that parents and students have many queries about it. DU officials and teachers involved in curriculum designing and degree restructuring will be present at the open day to clear doubts,” said a senior official.
The admission process will be from June 5 to 19.