JOIN USIn the upcoming academic session, there could be a scramble for space in Delhi University’s Daulat Ram College since it has failed to use the Other Backward Classes expansion grant of Rs 8 crore.
Earlier this week, the college governing body had turned down the proposal of doing away with the add-on courses in foreign languages, as it could create problems for regular programmes.
College principal Daya Aggarwal said the decision of the governing body is a motivated one.
Aggarwal said she was not in favour of carrying on with the add-on courses in foreign language as there aren’t enough classrooms to accommodate students. And she fears that if add-on courses are to be run, the college will have to stretch its schedule beyond 5 pm.
No add-on courses
“We are already facing a major space crunch. Even after repeated request, no building committee was set up by the chairperson,” Aggarwal said, pointing out that her priority is to teach regular courses.
She said she was in favour of doing away with the add-on courses.
Over 620 students were admitted to seven foreign language courses in Daulat Ram College last year.
With one more batch to study under the four-year undergraduate programme, the teaching fraternity had also expressed concerns. The teaching programme committee had taken up the issue with the governing body, the principal said.
She said the governing body didn’t even concede to their request of having porta cabins. “Some 245 tutorial classes are yet to be fixed. FYUP is more project based, so there is a need for extra classes,” Aggarwal said.
“I was told that the fund will be spent by the new principal,” she said, indicating that the university has written letters to the college on non-usage of funds.
Earlier this year, Daulat Ram College had moved the Delhi High Court seeking removal of Aggarwal, who has been serving as an acting principal of the college since February 2, 2013.
The college had said that Aggarwal’s term as acting principal ended on February 12 this year and her continuation in the post without sanction of the governing body was “illegal”.
Suneeta Sudershan, chairperson of the governing body, denied any paucity of space. “There is no lack of infrastructure. Classes are held from four to six after FYUP classes are over,” Sudershan said.
She also accused the principal for “spreading rumors” and “fabricating timetables” so that running foreign language courses would become difficult.