Date:10/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101061240300.htm

New Delhi

Decision on semester system at college level put off

Staff Reporter

Matter to be referred to Delhi University colleges now

‘We demanded that a decision on the semester system not be taken without a feedback’
Decision on the introduction of four-year dual subject honours course also deferred

NEW DELHI: After deliberating on the issue of introducing the semester system at the under-graduate level, the Academic Council of Delhi University has decided to put off the matter till the next meeting.Initiating a semester system of examination at the college level from 2010-11 was one of the prominent issues on the agenda at the meeting of the Academic Council earlier this week.

“The House felt that it was imperative to take the opinion of the college teachers before introducing the semester system at the under-graduate level. After a long debate, Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental agreed to refer the matter for discussion in staff councils of various colleges. He will write a letter to colleges inviting their suggestions on how to make the semester system work better,” said an Academic Council member on Thursday.

Another member, J. Khuntia, said: “It was only five years ago that the system of internal evaluation of students through continuous tests and a half-yearly exam was introduced. At the meeting, we demanded that a decision on the semester system not be taken without a feedback on the current system of internal evaluation and without taking into account the views of the teaching community on the proposed system.”

Another issue that was deferred to the next meeting was a decision on the introduction of four-year dual subject honours course.

The House felt that more opinion was needed on that matter. All the issues are likely to come up for discussion at the next meeting of the Academic Council scheduled to be held after a month.