School of Open Learning (SOL) students are on hunger strike and are protesting against the Delhi University’s decision to establish the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) for them this year.
Students are against it because according to them the CBS System has been introduced without any preparations and they were not kept intact regarding the process.
“Till now, already more than 1.5 lakh students have been admitted in Annual Mode but DU’s Vice-Chancellor, Yogesh K Tyagi is insisting on establishing CBCS (Semester System) without any concern with students. As if now no new study material has been introduced to student based on CBCS format yet and SOL is distributing the same old study material,” said a statement issued by the protesting students.
The Officer on Special Duty, Ramesh Bhardwaj of SOL said that the move was necessary to ensure and make SOL degree more valid.
“According to the Centre, the move to CBCS system is made as a university can not run in two separate modes as it has been running in two separate modes previously. If we did not switch over this year, our degree would have been derecognised. We are working with students to ensure they get the PDFs of all study material,” Bhardwaj said.
What is CBCS System :
- The CBCS facilitate the choice to select from the prescribed courses for students. The students can choose any prescribed course (core, elective or minor or soft skill courses).
- The CBCS is a student-centric approach rather than teacher-centric to learning or acquiring higher education.
- Under the CBSS, the requirement for awarding a degree or diploma or certificate is prescribed in terms of number of credits to be completed by the students.
Features Of CBCS System :
- Credits are transferable and is also applicable if the student changes his/her branch of study.
- CBCS is based on grading system rather than numerical marking.
- Grading minimizes the stigma and chances of “fail”.
- The credit based grading system is considered desirable because it facilitates student mobility across institutions within the country and across other countries too. Potential employers can thus assess performance of students, judicially.
The Meaning Of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) In Brief :
- CHOICE BASED – There is Choice of multiple courses for students
- GRADING – Marks are secured is in letter grade format rather than numeric
- SEMESTER – Learner- Teacher Engagement Quotient can be measured/ identified semester-wise
- CREDIT – Class hours per week also carries additional importance in credit system
- ASSESSMENT – Assessment are in the form of classroom attendance, Mid Term Tests etc
UGC has introduced a 10-point grading system as follows:
| O (Outstanding) | 10 |
| A+ (Excellent) | 9 |
| A (Very Good) | 8 |
| B+ (Good) | 7 |
| B (Above Average) | 6 |
| C (Average) | 5 |
| P (Pass) | 4 |
| F (Fail) | 0 |
| Ab (Absent) | 0 |
Credits are calculated keeping in mind the following components:
- Lecture (L)
- Tutorial (T)
- Practical (P)