Semester trouble: DU teachers complain of intimidation

Updated on: Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Amid a fervent debate on the issue of semesterisation of education in Delhi University, many teachers are perplexed over what they call an incomprehensible hurry of imposing the system and the "intimidatory" tactics being used by the administration.
As the University readies to roll out new syllabi under the system, there is a feeling among a section of teachers that they are being pushed into falling in line with the change being pushed so aggressively from outside.

The teachers, who are protesting under the banner of a Joint Action Body, have termed their protest as an "academic resistance movement". They say a proper deliberation and debate should take place to replace an 89-year-old system of education rather than a quickfire overhaul.

"Inputs from teachers have not been taken till now. Why wasn't any feedback taken from us when it is we who will actually teach in the new mode? A uniform policy cannot be followed for all courses," says Professor Rajesh Kumar, a member of Democratic Teachers' Front and president of staff association Ramlal Anand College said.

Prof Vinita Chandra, a member of the JAB, who teaches English at Ramjas College, says the teachers are actually scared after they raised a banner narrowing down to a list of "wrongs" involved in introducing the system.

"The University is using a lot of intimidatory tactics. We are scared. I am sure I will be pulled up in one way or the other. Even we do not know what will happen. We are powerless but still hopeful," she says.

The protesting teachers, who have adopted unique ways of lodging their protest like holding classes in lawns outside the V-C's office and organising candle light vigils, say they are not averse to the semester system per se but the way in which it is being "imposed" on them without any proper, defined framework.

They alleged that the department of social science recently received "intimidatory" notes, asking them to give the list of those who have voted against the system.

The language used in the "note" has also incensed the community, says Prof Hari Sen, Department of History (DU).

"If the administration is so keen on revising the syllabi, do it on reasonable grounds, in a way that does justice to the subject and does not kill our way of teaching that is not only about subjects but also about the overall development of students... A University can't and shouldn't feed directly to the market, its role is also of producing intellectuals," says Prof Pramesh Ratnakar, who teaches English at Deen Dayal Upadhyay college.

Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh, however, is unperturbed by the objections and hopeful that "good sense" will prevail.

"I believe the University will be semesterised by 2011. Good sense will prevail. It's almost done. We have made a huge progress," Singh told

"There are some groups who want to put the University to ransom. They are few in number and do not even represent the entire teaching community," Singh said.

Speaking about the importance of the semester system, the V-C said, "The semester mode of study is cross disciplinary. This way it is far more easier to open up and connect with the other systems of the world, where credit systems are followed. This system is flexible."

However, the teachers say that revising the syllabi is a stretched and representative process and that the University should have taken teachers into confidence.

"The missive (from the University) doesn't ask for our opinion or a discussion. Instead it directs the teachers. The letter asks us to keep on holding meetings till the result is what they want from us... which is a yes to the semesterisation," says Prof Saumyajit Bhattacharya of Kirori Mal College.

Others say the revision would feed into the overall trend of commercialisation of education.

"Those pushing through this enforcement have their own agenda. This is part of a larger design towards greater privatisation of education as most foreign Universities
operate in the semester mode," says Ratnakar.

"Most teachers can see through the game and that is why they are objecting to it fundamentally."

The Delhi University has been following the annual academic session since its inception in 1922. The resolution to introduce semester system at undergraduate level in the university was passed recently.

The system is already being followed at some universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University and IITs with success.

The semester system was put in place in 13 undergraduate science courses in the last academic session after a prolonged confrontation between the University and the Delhi University Teachers Association.

Semester trouble: DU teachers complain of intimidation

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