The Hindu : Front Page : Choice-based credit system to be made mandatory from 2008-09

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Monday, Feb 25, 2008
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Choice-based credit system to be made mandatory from 2008-09

Shastry V. Mallady

Freedom for students to design curriculum
They can register for ‘credits’ for skill-based courses

MADURAI: The implementation of choice-based credit system (CBCS) will become mandatory in all arts and science colleges in the State from 2008-09 academic year.

A decision was taken at the Vice-Chancellors’ meeting convened by the Minister for Higher Education, K. Ponmudy, in Chennai last week.

Officials told The Hindu here on Sunday that the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education would organise a meeting in March first week to work out the modalities for uniform implementation of the choice-based system in all government, aided and self-financing colleges for undergraduate/ postgraduate courses.

“The focus will be on value-added education and job-oriented programmes even as students pursue a particular course in a college.

Right now, only universities and a few autonomous colleges have the CBCS, but that would be extended to all colleges,” said V. Swaminathan, Joint Director of Collegiate Education (Madurai Region), who attended the meeting.

A detailed note circulated to Vice-Chancellors and higher education officials highlighted the salient features of the system.

Under this system, the students will have a lot of freedom in designing their curriculum to suit their needs.

They will be allowed to register for ‘credits’ for skill-based courses to become employable immediately after completing the programme. Totally, 140 credits will be available in the three-year undergraduate programme.

When contacted, A. Ramasamy, Vice-Chairman of Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education, said that he would soon consult the Chairmen of Board of Studies in all varsities to elicit their views.

“The University Grants Commission is particular that colleges have the choice-based system. Hence, the Minister has asked for appropriate action,” he said.

Dr. Ramasamy said Vice-Chancellors had been asked to involve subject experts in preparing the curriculum/syllabus for courses coming under the CBCS.

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