The note below is one sent by the Vice Chancellor of Goa University Dr
Satish Shetye sent to the Chief Minister that is circulating among
teaching staff after the teachers' association UCTAG sent it to its
members. I am taking the liberty to circulate it on goanet as the public is
also a stakeholder in the education process.
Regards
Augusto
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A note for Honourable Chief Minister on BA and BCom admissions this year
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In 2003 UGC created norms in the form of mandatory Regulations for the
class strength. The suggested norm was 60 students per class for
undergraduates.
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The university incorporated these norms in its ordinances.
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Ever since then at the time of admissions college principals ask the
university for ad-hoc increase in class strength (usually ranging between
10-33%). Though in violation of its own ordinances, the university has
been granting such increases.
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Principals (and management) like such increase.
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Teacher hate the increase.
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The above, i.e. the university granting the increase that is in
violation of its own norms, is not a desirable situation. To rectify the
situation, the university set up well over a year ago a committee to
recommend the policy that the university should follow. Both teachers and
principals were associated with deliberations of the committee.
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The committee recommended that the class strength for BA and BCom should
be fixed at 60 with no relaxation granted. The recommendations were
accepted by the Academic Council only about two months ago.
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As usual this year the principals asked for increase in class strength.
The university has refused.
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The university has suggested that instead of ad-hoc increase the
colleges should follow one of the following two options to accommodate
students:
(1) increase the number of divisions;
(2) request students to go to a college where seats are available.
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It is our estimate that there are enough seats available for BCom to
accommodate all students who are seeking admission.
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For BA one or two colleges may need to open a new division. According
to the Department of Higher Education, permission to open new divisions is
granted instantly.
With the above in mind the policy and the practice now should be as follows:
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Everyone should be guaranteed a seat in undergrad BA and BCom (there
seems to be no issue related to BSc admission). However, a student must be
prepared to go a college anywhere in Goa if his or her standing in the
merit list is not high enough.
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Colleges should be encouraged, if need be coaxed, to open a new
division. This may be required only in case of BA this year. As per our
estimates, based on the data provided by principals, there are enough seats
available for B.Com.
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If travel to a college places unmanageable financial hardship on a
student, such situations should be examined case by case. The university
feels reasonably confident that a solution can be found in each case.
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All those who are finding themselves not able to find a seat can contact
the university. The university will set up a Cell with principals and
teachers as members to assist the student to find a seat. The financially
handicapped can also contact the Cell.
Why is the above necessary, wouldn’t the practice of ad-hoc increases be a
simpler solution?
There is widespread lack of understanding on how an institution of higher
learning works: why bodies of the university (the Academic Council, the
Executive Council, etc.) create ordinances, statutes, etc., after elaborate
discussion to define each process to be followed in the university. There
is the belief that the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor is empowered to change
the dictates contained in ordinances and statutes. Such beliefs are
detrimental to the long-term health of the university. The lack of
understanding must be corrected with actions. The policy suggested above
is one such action. The practice followed in the past of granting ad-hoc
increases is yet another step that undermined the processes of the
university. Such practices must be stopped immediately. Moreover, the
damage done in the past by such practices needs to be reversed.
Augusto Pinto
40, Novo Portugal
Moira, Bardez
Goa, India
E pinto...@gmail.com
P 0832-2470336
M 9881126350
