Karnataka scraps four year degree programme, restricts to only three years
Karnataka scraps four year degree programme, restricts to only three years
Karnataka government on Wednesday scrapped the NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 recommended four-year degree programme in public universities and affiliated colleges and has reintroduced the three year degree programme (with no option of a fourth year) for the academic year 2024-25. The new changes come close on the heels of students and colleges who have expressed concerns over the lack of clarity in pursuing a four year degree programme as per the NEP.
A government order was issued on Wednesday after considering the recommendations made by the State Education Policy Commission led by Prof Sukhdeo Thorat. The commission in its first interim report to the government recommended changes on duration of the degree programme (whether three years or four years), curriculum structure and multidisciplinary curriculum (for the students getting admission in 2024-25 AY) and multiple entry and exit with certificate (after one year) or diploma (after two years).
Based on the interim report, the government decided to restrict the degree programme to three years and also recommended three UG (undergraduate) Curriculum Frameworks (CFW) which have been agreed upon.
The government has allowed public universities and affiliated colleges to offer three majors with a general degree in all six semesters or three majors up to the fourth semester and specialisation in one subject in the fifth and sixth semesters or single subject specialisation from the first semester with minors (example B.COM, BBA, BCA, BA/BSc).
Meanwhile, the government is yet to decide on the multiple entry and exit format.
In a press statement the higher education department said, “Regarding allowing certificates after the first year and diploma after the 2nd year (multiple entry and exit), the government will decide on implementing the recommendations after the submission of the final report and not at this stage.”
Additionally, the government will focus on the changes in the curriculum framework which will provide a breadth of knowledge, industry-relevant skill-based courses as well as provide autonomy to universities (Board of Studies) to frame region-specific courses. Apprenticeship-embedded degree courses will also be considered to be part of the curriculum, the higher education department informed.
The commission reasoned that the recommendations are based on ‘historical experience, the principle of overall interests of the students, equity, social justice and equal opportunity to students from different socio-economic backgrounds. The commission opined: “Keeping a 4 year degree program would potentially reduce access to undergraduate education for the poor, the socially disadvantaged groups such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, women and students from rural areas. Further, lack of physical infrastructure and non-availability of facilities and faculty have been mentioned as one of the reasons for the unwillingness of the colleges to start 4-year UG programme.”
The commission has said that it arrived at the aforementioned recommendations after consultation meetings with the vice-chancellors, deans and heads of the boards of studies of various universities and college principals held in November 2023. Regional meetings of various stakeholders in four revenue divisions of Karnataka were also held in December 2023.
The government has stated that the new changes will not affect the current students who are enrolled in the AYs 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.
The current NEP system implemented by the then BJP government in August 2021 would continue until they complete their graduation, for the duration as well as the curriculum. The changes that have been announced would apply only to admissions from the AY 2024-25 onwards, the government said.
As for the affiliation process and admissions, the government stated that the same will begin immediately and admissions as per new government order will be implemented. All universities have been informed about this move. Moreover, any clarification regarding this may be sought by the colleges from their respective universities. The affiliation process will commence for colleges with the respective universities on May 9 for the academic year of 2024-25 through the UUCMS portal.
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