In a government decision (GR) issued late Tuesday, state university and college officials called on all universities to develop appropriate regulations.

From the next academic year which is scheduled to start in June 2023, all undergraduate (UG) programs in Maharashtra will be 4-year semesters as per the National Education Policy 2020.

In a government decision (GR) issued late Tuesday, state university and college officials called on all universities to develop appropriate regulations.

We also shared recommendations from state-level committees headed by Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Mumbai (MU), has created a roadmap for NEP implementation.

According to the recommendations, students should have the opportunity to complete or complete a four-year course each year. For example, a student receives a certificate if he/she completes the first year and graduates, a diploma if he/she graduates two years later, a bachelor’s degree after three years, and a bachelor’s degree ( honors/research).

These are present at the completion of bridging courses that train students in employability skills (except for the final year).

In addition, students should be free to choose which semester they want to start from a total of 6 semesters. If the course starts in the 1st semester, the student can only leave the course after the 2nd semester has ended.

Those who have started the course in the 3rd semester can only leave the course after the 4th semester has ended. This also applies to the 5th and 6th trimesters.

However, many, especially teachers, have expressed concerns about this recommendation.

Dr. Madhu Parajape, Executive Director, Union of University Teachers and Universities of the University of Bombay (BUCTU) said:

“The government has failed to address the financial aspects of these reforms when it comes to tuition fees and subsidies to funded universities. , encourages dropouts from higher education, where the government is not filling vacant teaching positions and there is already a shortage of workers.”

BUCTU took part in three-day protest of the All India Teachers Federation against NEP outside UGC office in Delhi last month. Many teachers also pointed out that most universities do not have academic councils or research committees responsible for developing new curricula for reform.

While such organizations have been established at many state universities, MU is still waiting for the election process to begin.

However, the university is confident in implementing its recommendations.

D.T. Shirke, Vice Chancellor (V-C) of Kolhapur, Shivaji University, who currently holds additional headship of MU V-C, said:

“We have plenty of time to implement the changes. The national curriculum framework is also ready for move-in.”

Dr. Jalgaon Kavyatri Bahinabai North Maharashtra University Former Vice Chancellor R.S. Mali said: Everyone is aware of the changes ahead, and with a given roadmap, implementing reforms shouldn’t be a problem. “