Odisha to change Plus Three course pattern

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to bring reforms in existing system and pattern in higher education, Odisha government is planning to upgrade and change in curriculum of Plus Three courses in colleges focusing on the quality based studies.

This was revealed at a meeting of Board of Studies comprised of eight universities at Utkal University on Friday here. The officials attending the meeting had discussed the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), textbooks as per the syllabus, practical, elective subject selection, new course introduction, language skill development among students and reforms to made in question papers preparation and examination management.

The government is taking initiatives to offer the courses in all the colleges on CBCS pattern, to upgrade the library and ensure the students to study through virtual tutorial or e-courses.

Currently, the Plus Three colleges under various universities are offering the courses based on old syllabus, which will be changed. A new syllabus will be prepared in new pattern making changes to bring reforms in higher education keeping the UPSC, NET and various competitive examinations in mind, said Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) vice chairman Prof. Ashok Kumar Das after attending the meeting.

The state government in consensus of vice chancellors of all the universities has decided to introduce unitary courses in Plus Three colleges in 2018-19 academic session, Das said.

A plan is in progress for introducing new courses for skill development of students, reforms in examination pattern, conducting error-free examination and timely examination results. A question paper bank will be established in which at least 10,000 questions will be stored for the students, said Prof Das.

Various universities and subject-based Board of Studies is comprised of a chairman and two members. The government is planning to introduce national level courses along with improving the quality education. The faculties will also be imparted training, said Utkal University CDC Director Prof S.K. Tripathy.