The principals of a number of colleges affiliated to Calcutta University said at a meeting with the vice-chancellor on Monday that the university should plead with the state government or the UGC for funds to set up infrastructure for implementing the four-year undergraduate programme.
The principals said they were keen to implement the programme in the forthcoming academic year, if the university so decides, but they should be allowed to recruit more teachers and overhaul laboratory infrastructure.
The state higher education department had on March 17 written to all state-aided universities “to take appropriate steps” for the introduction of the four-year programme “from the forthcoming academic session”, in compliance with the National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020.
The undergraduate courses in general subjects are of three years.
Syamalendu Chatterjee, general secretary of the All Bengal Principals’ Council, said the principals of as many as 150 colleges attended the meeting.
“If CU wants to implement the programme from the 2023-24 academic year, we will abide by that. But the colleges need funds to beef up infrastructure. There should be more classrooms and laboratories,” Chatterjee said.
CU interim VC Ashis Chatterjee said: “The views of the principals will be shared with the six-member expert committee the state government has constituted to explore the scope of rolling out the programme.”
Joydeep Sarangi, principal of New Alipore College, said the draft of the programme says the colleges have to introduce compulsory credit-based courses in subjects such as environmental education, and value-based education.
“We need teachers in these areas. The draft says the departments offering a 4-year UG degree (honours with research) must have the required infrastructure such as library, access to journals, computer lab and software, and laboratory facilities to carry out experimental research. The colleges require financial support to create the infrastructure,” Sarangi told The Telegraph.
The Telegraph had on January 9 reported that the UGC had asked all universities in the country to introduce four-year undergraduate programmes but made no provision for additional funding.
West Bengal education minister Bratya Basu had on March 17 accused the UGC of being silent on funds. He told this newspaper in a text message: “Our issue with UGC had been to provide suitable fund support to ensure its implementation by all Higher Education Institutions as it may require Physical/Human resource upgradation.”
A college principal said the state government was already reeling under a funds crunch and asking colleges and universities to reach out to their alumni to raise resources. “In such a situation, it is unlikely to provide additional funds to develop the infrastructure required for the successful implementation of the four-year programme.”
“In that case, the state government or the university should write to the UGC for ensuring funds,” he said.
CU interim VC Ashis Chatterjee said: “The views of the principals will be shared with the six-member expert committee the state government has constituted to explore the scope of rolling out the programme.”
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, who is ex-officio chancellor of state universities, went to CU on Monday and addressed the principals on the importance of the new programme.