DU Teachers Cry Foul Over Curriculum Changes, Say Statutory Bodies Sidestepped
Teachers at Delhi University have raised strong objections to the university's recent decision to restructure credit distribution in the fourth year of the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF). They have alleged that the changes were implemented without approval from the statutory bodies mandated to oversee such academic decisions.
The controversy stems from a notification issued by the university on Friday, which revised the credit structure for the fourth year of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP). Under the revised framework, credits allocated for dissertations have been increased from six to ten. Simultaneously, the number of Discipline Specific Core (DSC) papers has been reduced.
The notification further stated that courses currently listed under DSC in semesters seven and eight across all undergraduate programmes under UGCF 2022 would be removed and placed under the Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) pool for the respective disciplines. This move effectively reduces the compulsory core components of various degree programmes, giving students more elective choices but potentially diluting subject depth.
Teachers argue that such a substantive change in curriculum structure should have been discussed and approved by the Academic Council and other statutory bodies. They claim the administration bypassed these bodies, undermining the due process that is constitutionally and statutorily required. The teachers' union has demanded that the university rescind the notification and undertake a proper consultative process before implementing any changes.
The university administration has yet to issue a response to the allegations. The development has sparked a broader debate about academic governance and the role of faculty in shaping curriculum reforms at one of India's premier educational institutions.
