The Utkal University, which had planned to implement choice-based credit system (CBCS) from the new academic session 2015-16 in all its affiliated 350 degree colleges, has now changed its decision and will implement it in 16 autonomous colleges only in the new session. However, Vice-Chancellor Ashok Das said the new pattern of study would be implemented in the general colleges in next phase.
Das clarified that since the course of studies and pattern of examinations of the autonomous colleges are more or less same as the CBCS, it would be easier to begin with the credit system in the autonomous colleges. The difference between the general and autonomous colleges is that while the former use the syllabus and examination pattern set by the university, the latter have them on their own.
Notably, autonomous status has been accorded to over a dozen of elite Government and aided colleges in the State which are fairly sound in manpower and infrastructure. Since the CBCS is a national system, the general degree colleges of the State with their poor resources and facilities would have to face a tough test to adopt it. It is a welcoming step that the new system has not been imposed on the colleges with poor groundwork, opined several teachers here.
Notably, the UGC had threatened not to extend any aid to the colleges unless they adopt the CBCS from 2015-16 session. Under pressure, the State Government had decided to implement the new study pattern in all colleges irrespective their position.
“It is no secret that teachers in the degree colleges are not taking much interest in work due to paltry and irregular salary. Especially, under the Block Grant system, the degree teachers get the lowest payment that hardly spurs them to work. There are no special benefits for those who are seniors and have got higher degrees like MPhil and PhD. Not to speak about promotion or other perks, the Block Grant teachers are even not sure about their career though many of them are on the verge of retirement,” lamented a teachers’ association here, suggesting that the Government should first sort out the basic problems of the teachers and boost their morale before going for the new pattern.