The 4-year undergraduate program would be established in all government-sponsored, -aided, and -sponsored higher education institutions beginning with the academic year 2023-2024, according to the West Bengal government.
On Wednesday, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration in West Bengal stated that the state will begin implementing the four-year undergraduate course under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the 2023–24 academic year.
The 4-year UG level program will be introduced in all government/government aided/government-sponsored higher education institutions starting with the academic session 2023–2024, the state government’s competent authority decided after consulting with various stakeholders and keeping students’ futures in mind.
According to the UGC national curriculum and credit structure for UG-level studies, the students would receive their degrees in compliance with those standards, the statement continued.
According to the statement, students seeking admission this year must submit their applications online through the colleges’ independent websites, just like they did last year.
The TMC government stirred up controversy in academic circles by requesting that all universities implement the four-year undergraduate program under NEP. Until recently, Bengali students pursuing graduation with honors (specialization) in one subject had a three-year course while those without a specialization graduated after two years.
The higher education department forwarded the March 17 order to the registrars of all state-funded universities.
Students and educators were taken aback by the state’s decision because Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister, had opposed NEP ever since it was introduced by the Centre. She had claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to “saffronise” the nation’s educational system and allow for private players.
According to academics, it would be challenging for Bengal’s universities to introduce the new degree at such short notice due to a lack of infrastructure and funding.
According to the press release, “The expert committee has recommended the implementation through the best use of current resources or the self-mobilization of additional resources, pending receipt of additional financial assistance.”
Academic circles attacked the choice.
Jadavpur University Teacher’s Association general secretary Partha Pratim Roy stated: “Almost all private colleges started preparing for fresh admissions months ago. Government colleges are now in a hazardous situation as a result of the decree. Private institutions will only benefit from this and thrive. The higher education sector is fully aware of how much time and infrastructure are needed to launch a new system.