Delh HC asks DU to file an affidavit on a PIL challenging implementation of its 4 year UG programme

Updated on: Wednesday, May 08, 2013

The Delhi High Court sought the response from the Delhi University on a PIL challenging the implementation of the varsity's proposed four-year undergraduate programme in its present form.

Issuing notice to the university, a bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath asked the university to filed an affidavit by May 15.

The counsel for the varsity accepted the notice and told the court that several other issues pertaining to the proposed four-year undergraduate programme have been addressed by the academic council.

He also said that the grievances raised in the PIL, filed by Sambhavana, a registered society, have also been considered.

DU is to implement the four-year undergraduate programme in next academic session beginning July this year.

In its PIL, Sambhavana has said if the four-year undergraduate programme with multiple degrees is introduced in present form, the students with vision impairment will suffer irreparable loss as they will have to study subjects like mathematics from which they are exempted.

The society, which works for the welfare of differently abled students, said when the recommendations for the curriculum of programme were made, the concerns of the people with visual impairment were not taken into consideration.

The plea said, "Students with visual impairment are purely exempted from studying Science and Math's after class-VIII in some cases and after class-X in most of the cases.

"In case the existing approved programme is implemented, such students shall not be able to meet the requirements of the foundation course in the first year of the four-year under-graduate programme which contains a bouquet of 11 mandatory courses, including Building Mathematical Ability and Science and Life."

The plea has sought the court to direct the university to introduce a bridge course programme for Maths and Science for students with vision impairment so that they can also be given a level-playing field to pursue the foundation course as prescribed in the first year of the four-year undergraduate programme with multiple degree.

"A large number of students with vision impairment seek admission in Delhi University every year. They cannot be deprived of studying the foundation course on an equal basis with other students. Therefore, a provision of the bridge course should be followed by the foundation course in second year of the said programme," the plea said.

Delh HC asks DU to file an affidavit on a PIL challenging implementation of its 4 year UG programme

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