Bhubaneswar, Oct. 19: The department of higher education is planning to integrate the syllabi of the first and second year for the Plus Two board examinations. This would be done to make students and teachers more committed, said secretary of the higher education department, Chandra Shekhar Kumar.
Kumar was addressing the zone-wise review meeting of principals of government, non-government, aided and private colleges from Khurda, Puri and Nayagarh districts at the BJB College here today.
“Barely 10 days ago, I came to know that the Plus Two board exams would have questions only from the second year. As a result, teachers become laidback and do not pay much attention to the first year syllabus. We have now suggested to the chairman of council of higher secondary education (CHSE) to include questions from the first and second year at a ratio of 40:60,” Kumar said. In all likelihood, this will be effective for the batch appearing for the board exams in 2014.
“The CHSE will break up the syllabi into different modules and prepare model question papers for monthly tests. Colleges must take the initiative of conducting remedial classes by arranging guest lecturers for students who are lagging behind in any subject,” he said. Kumar added that a compulsory computer proficiency course would be introduced for all streams in Plus Two colleges from next year and for this purpose, every college must set up a computer centre with internet facilities.
“In an era of digitisation, someone who cannot operate a computer is termed illiterate. We are trying to enhance the skills of students by introducing compulsory computer education at the Plus Two level. Accordingly, each college has to develop its infrastructure and there should ideally be one computer for every 20 students,” he said.
He also stressed on the role of principals and teachers in revamping the higher education sector. Every college must have a minimum of 180 working days and the teachers must be present on the campus for at least five hours and submit a monthly report of their activities to their respective principals.
“The teachers must not offer private coaching classes. Very soon, a helpline number will be launched where students or local residents can register complaints against errant teachers. There would also be surprise inspections in colleges to ensure that teachers or principals are not going on unauthorised leave,” he said, adding colleges must be equipped with proper laboratory and library facilities.
Although 254 principals were supposed to attend the meeting today, only around 100 had turned up. The director of higher education, B.P. Nanda, said colleges were required to update their master timetable on the department’s website (www.dheorissa.in) and hold staff council meetings every week to assess the performance of teachers as well as students.
“We are planning to publish a manual for principals of government and non-government colleges which would mark their role and responsibilities. They would also be trained to acquaint themselves with the procedure of maintaining accounts,” he said.
“The 662 unaided colleges which are now receiving grants-in-aid from the government must be ready with the identity proof of its employees as our validation team might visit at any moment,” Nanda told the principals.
Joint secretary of the department, Anirudha Rout, said the purpose of the Orissa Education Act is yet to be realised.
“We have granted permission to several colleges without thinking about the repercussions. Now, such a time has come where the quantity (of colleges) has gone up like anything but quality has come down,” he said.
Regional director of higher education K.P. Mohapatra and state education consultant P.C. Acharya also addressed the gathering.
“Principals must feel free to appoint teachers on a contractual basis to take classes. No prior approval of the government is required for that. However, you must make a budget and send the proposal to the department for releasing funds,” said Acharya.
