7 hours ago
Another academic year begins with uncertainty
Chennai: Colleges will open for the new academic year this week. There is, however, no clarity on when or whether the higher education reforms proposed by University Grants Commission (UGC) including four-year degrees, an academic bank of credits, multiple entry and exits, and accelerated degrees would be implemented.
As many as 343 days have passed since the Justice D Murugesan committee submitted the report on recommendations for a State Education Policy (SEP) to Chief Minister M K Stalin on July 1 last year. The Tamil Nadu govt, which has been opposing some key provisions of National Education Policy (NEP), including the three-language formula, entrance exams for college admissions, multiple entry and exits to degree programmes, and common exams for Classes III, V, and VIII, is yet to come out with its own alternative policy.
Sources in the committee said they prepared the report after visiting eight different districts and gathering views from educationists, parents, student organisations, and teachers' associations. Educationists demand immediate release of draft SEP. "The higher education in the state is at a crossroads due to the state govt's opposition to NEP provisions. Our students will be in trouble after some time. They should release SEP and start implementing it without delay.
Their opposition to NEP has no meaning without releasing the SEP document," says Anna University former vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy.
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University former vice-chancellor V Vasanthi Devi agrees. "The state govt has not given any reason for holding back the document after completing four of its five years," she said. Activists echo the sentiment. "NEP is aggressively being implemented in school education and higher education sectors by various agencies.
Not releasing the report is not a democratic approach," said P B Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System.
"Releasing SEP enables stakeholders to give their feedback," said K Yogarajan, secretary, All India Save Education Committee.
School education department officials say the state govt will release the document in a phased manner. "The govt will release the draft policy on school education and later the higher education document. Discussions are on," a source in the department said.
