The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Introduction of new subject criticised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 16, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Introduction of new subject criticised

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, JUNE 15. A new compulsory subject has been introduced in colleges without the right textbook and trained teachers to handle it. This is the view of colleges on the State government's directive to universities and colleges to introduce a paper on `Environmental studies' in the second semester of undergraduate courses from this academic year.

With the colleges reopening tomorrow, the issue is causing worry to institutions of higher learning.

The government's directive to introduce the subject without any preparation has been criticised. The subject has been made compulsory following the commitment the government gave to the Supreme Court last year. However, university authorities are now in a dilemma: how can the paper be introduced without proper teaching staff or the class hours be adjusted?

Several principals here have approached or written to Madurai Kamaraj University asking how they can introduce the paper "when the modalities of conducting the course are not spelt."

The Ministry of Human Resource Development asked all the States to introduce the new paper at the college level.

The communication on the introduction of the course was sent to colleges on April 21. It is a compulsory paper with 100 marks. It is to be covered in 50 hours in a year. There are eight chapters.

While the colleges are aware of the importance of the subject and welcome the move, they point out that the time is short to effect changes in the curriculum.

Proper orientation has not been provided to teachers to handle it.

Presenting the colleges' views, the general secretary of Madurai Kamaraj University College Principals' Association and Syndicate member, G. Thiruvasagam, said it had to be made clear to the colleges how the subject could be introduced in the existing curriculum.

Another demand is the sanction of additional teaching posts to handle new subjects.

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