Little consensus on uniform syllabus 

Little consensus on uniform syllabus 

At the end of a yearlong exercise from May 2022 to April 2023, colleges across Tamil Nadu were asked to follow the syllabus framed by Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) from the current academic year. Arts and science colleges, which have admitted over 1.11 lakh students this year, would teach students according to the new syllabus, Minister for Higher Education K. Ponmudy said. About 75 % of the syllabus of every college should be the same, says the decree.

Initially, sporadic voices rose against what they called the imposition of the common syllabus, but the opposition became more vehement closer to the start of the academic year. A few teachers’ associations, including those that were against the revised syllabus initially, issued statements supporting it. Mr. Ponmudy regularly addressed the concerns, through meetings with Vice-Chancellors and the principals of autonomous colleges in Chennai. Yet, the opinion is divided. The opinion of those who are opposed to the uniform syllabus seems the loudest in the academic community.

The principal of a leading autonomous college in the western region said, “It is unfair to enforce a common syllabus before the release of the State Education Policy.” Colleges oppose 75% uniformity as it may affect the leverage they have enjoyed in offering the choice-based-credit system. Rigidity may hamper the choice of electives, which is the only way of infusing skills relevant to the job market. It could run counter to the intended aim and exacerbate unemployment, said a senior faculty member of a government college.

P.K. Ponnuswamy, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras and Madurai Kamaraj University, said, “A common syllabus is a regressive move. It will be disastrous for the higher education system in general, if it also implies common question papers and examination.” Colleges would lose their academic freedom, he pointed out, wondering where was the need for universities if a common syllabus was enforced. “It is not workable,” he said.

The academic councils and boards of studies of autonomous colleges play a major role in introducing innovative subjects in consultation with experts. Healthy discussions are held, and they have liberty and freedom, said R. Murali, coordinator of Makkal Kalvi Kootiyakkam. What is the hurry when the committee tasked with writing the State Education Policy is yet to submit its report, he asked.

Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association also has reservations. Its State president P. David Livingstone said, “The syllabi of subjects, such as science, have the same lessons as those from 10-15 years ago. In zoology, for example, animals that are now banned for laboratory use are being suggested for dissection...” It is “the prerogative of universities and colleges” to review the syllabus every three years. “TANSCHE does not specify if this norm will be withdrawn when the common syllabus is implemented,” he added.

Would this prevent colleges from creating new courses to meet local needs, wondered S. Ismail Mohideen, principal and head of PG and Research, Department of Mathematics, Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchi. Colleges may not be able to offer new programmes without TANSCHE’s approval. Also, courses approved under the direct benefit transfer Star College scheme may suffer as “students will not be able to pass muster with the 75%:25% external-internal marks ratio,” he said.