Grades instead of divisions, no failing: DU’s plan for 4-yr courses

While the task force on redefining education, constituted for the four-year undergraduate programme, is still deliberating on the evaluation method, there is growing support for introducing a grading system.

However, for the proposals of the task force to come into force, it will need the approval of the DU statutory bodies.

Under the existing system of evaluation, a student's score is division-based — depending on the percentage of marks.

"The grading system will have an in-built conversion mechanism. The idea is to reduce this jostling for marks and the unhealthy competitive environment it creates," a senior DU official said.

The DU administration is also considering if it can to do away with "failing" students in four year undergraduate programmes.

But, if a student wants to take the exit option after two or three years, their aggregate score should meet a minimum pass aggregate.

The criteria for allotting subjects as minor discipline will be decided by colleges based on the performance of the student in the first two semesters, the official said.

Under the four-year programme, apart from the major discipline in which the student is admitted, he/she can can opt a minor discipline, which will not be restricted to a particular stream.

This means that a student who has taken admission in History (Honours), can opt for a science or commerce subject as a minor discipline.

A re-examination of the internal assessment system has also been called for.

According to the existing internal assessment system, five marks are given to attendance while the remaining are allotted to class tests and assignments. In the four-year system, marks will not be given for attendance, although a minimum attendance criteria for appearing for examination will be in place.

"Twenty marks will be allotted to presentations and five to class participation," the official said. According to the proposed structure, students will have to study 11 "foundation course" over a duration of four semesters.

These will include two papers in languages — English, Hindi and other modern Indian languages. With the emphasis on inter- and trans-disciplinarity, the university will also offer foundation papers in science, history, environment and public health, psychology, IT, business and entrepreneurship, governance and citizenship, geography and social development as well as mathematics.

Four application-based papers, including English and Hindi, will also be designed and will be taught from the second semester.

Even though marks will not be given to students for sports and other extra-curricular activities, some degree of relaxation in attendance might be offered.

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