Guwahati, June 21: The University Grants Commission’s mandate to introduce the semester system and a reminder that funds would be linked to the reform have failed to move Assam college principals who feel that rushing into the programme could lead to “utter chaos”.
In March, the UGC had directed central and state universities to make the semester system mandatory at the earliest. It even reminded the university authorities that the UGC’s policy of extending financial grants would be directly connected to the implementation of the academic and administrative reforms.
Though the colleges have accepted the semester system in principle, as it would lead to continuous evaluation of students, they fear that if the authorities rush through its implementation, it could jeop-ardise the students’ careers.
In the proposed system, there will be two exams a year, something which the Assam colleges will not be able to cope with because of inadequate infrastructure and faculty, principals feel.
The teachers and principals of both Gauhati and Dibrugarh Universities made their reservations known during a meeting convened by Gauhati University on Friday.
A source said while the principals requested Gauhati University not to rush through the proposal, the Assam College Teachers Association wanted the authorities to first prepare a blueprint, circulate it among the stakeholders and decide on the implementation after receiving their feedback.
Gauhati University has now convened a meeting on June 23 of its nine-member committee set up to examine the way to go about the system but sources indicated that it would not like to go against the wishes of the colleges.
While there are 108 colleges under Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University has 153.
“Assam’s case is different because most degree colleges here also offer plus II courses, which is not the case in other states. If we go for a semester system with existing resources, it will jeopardise the career of both plus II as well as degree students, defeating the purpose of the proposed system,” a senior college teacher said.
