Govt wants common syllabus, exam dates for autonomous colleges

OST Bureau
Bhubaneswar Sep 15:

The Higher Education department of the Odisha government is planning to introduce a common syllabus for undergraduate level courses as well as a common academic calendar in all autonomous colleges in the state to bring in uniformity.

At present there is no uniformity in syllabus and examination system, said a senior official of the department. “We have called a meeting of principals of autonomous colleges on September 17 to discuss about a common syllabus pattern, “the official added.

Since autonomous colleges make their own syllabus and examinations are held on different dates. there is hardly any common ground between them.

The Higher Education department also wants autonomous colleges to follow a common academic calendar so that examinations can be held on the same dates every year.

Common Syllabi For Universities

Besides, the Higher Education department is mulling to bring uniformity in syllabi in the universities of the state.

“The prevalent programmes of study in most of the universities are outdated compared to the best in the country. We want to evolve a consensus on the broader topics to be covered, without hurting the varsities’ autonomy. The respective institutions will continue devising their syllabi,” said a senior official of the department.

The government wants to formulate model syllabi for various courses in consultation with various universities and after taking into consideration the course content of renowned universities. The academic councils and board of studies of the varsities will have the flexibility to devise their syllabi within the broader framework.

In a related development, the government has decided to categorise undergraduate courses into five streams of arts, physical science, biological science, commerce and self-financing streams in degree colleges from next year, compared to the three broader streams of arts, science and commerce at present, a government circular issued on January 3 to the colleges said.

Honours subjects like information technology, biotechnology, computer science, microbiology, computer science, electronics and telecommunication will come under the self-financing stream,departmental sources said.