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WBCUTA to Submit List of Suggestions to State Govt, Varsities

By sachiv1, Section News
Posted on Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 02:48:39 AM EST

The teachers want a parity between the syllabi taught in all universities and colleges, emphasis will also be laid on objective type questions, seminars

The West Bengal College and University Teachers Association (WBCUTA) will soon be submitting a set of suggestions outlining proper examination procedures, teaching and learning methodologies, what the students’ have to say on various topics, an accurate syllabus and feedback on the gradation system to the state government and the different universities in the state.

All the topics in this document, which will be prepared by the WBCUTA, will deal with education at the undergraduate and university level. This was decided after a two-day seminar-cum-workshop conducted by St Xavier’s College in collaboration with WBCUTA. This national seminar was sponsored by the University Grants Commission.

Talking about some of the topics discussed during the seminar Father P C Mathew, principal of the college, said: “There is a need to bring about a sense of parity between the syllabi taught in all universities and colleges. The syllabus cannot be the same but there has to be a sense of parity throughout the country. The same goes with the teaching and learning methodology in the undergraduate level because during the seminar we saw tremendous resistance against the talk and chalk method of teaching. Classroom teaching has to become more interactive.”

Also discussed were topics such as evaluation and infrastructure at the undergraduate level. “We are suggesting that there should be a system of continuous assessment, with questions mainly of the objective type. Since students nowadays do not give much importance to classroom teaching and tuitions, we also suggest that out of the total marks in each paper five per cent should be reserved for attendance,” said Prof Tarun Patra, general secretary of WBCUTA.

Students should also become more active in class through the introduction of seminars and workshops. “Students should be able to say that they have learnt a great deal from the seminars and workshops. The fruits of the seminar should be visible in the classroom. Hence there is a need to frame a curriculum which is relevant,” said Father Mathew.

“In the seminar we tried to identify different problems plaguing the education at the undergraduate level. Through discussions we have also tried to find solutions to these problems. There is a need to draw up the course content, the learning and teaching process, infrastructure and all the matters related to education at this level,” Subir Mukherjee, president of WBCUTA.

“Students complain that their papers are not evaluated properly. We want to suggest that only those teachers be chosen to correct the answer scripts who are responsible and will do a good job because it is the question of a student’s career,” said Father Mathew.

(Source-Indian Express,03/04/07)

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