Karnataka: Lecturers want State education policy aligned curriculum by April

Even as Karnataka is in the process of drafting its own State Education Policy, higher education faculty are seeking that the state give a curriculum framework and syllabus design by April.

After rolling back the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, Karnataka has named a committee to frame the state education policy, one of assurances in the election manifesto of the current government.

College and university faculty, however, are concerned over a possible delay in the process, leading to insufficient preparation time for the following academic year and have asked for a framework to be ready by April. 

 Lecturers expressed that if the state government wants to bring about a genuine change and not just nomenclature change in the education policy, then sufficient time and deliberations are necessary.

Lingarajaiah, general secretary, Federation of universities and colleges teachers’ associations in Karnataka said that a minimum 4-months period is required for colleges to prepare for implementation of the state education policy.

“When the congress government assumed power, they said the situation would change. They are repeating the same mistake as that of the previous BJP government. It is being implemented in a hurry and no time is being given for preparations.

“This will mean that confusion will prevail again. The government has so far not even constituted a core committee, held stakeholder meetings or asked lecturers what they want,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bhaskar, president, Federation of University and College Teachers Associations in Karnataka said, “We anticipate that the classes will commence in June or July for the next academic year. We need at least three months to prepare for the curriculum discussed and make lesson plans accordingly. We are seeking that it be given to us by April at least,” he said.

Meanwhile, confusion looms over continuation of the fourth year of degree after the state has announced a roll back of NEP as well.

“Although there are statements in the media about NEP rollback, there is no government order on rolling back the four-year degrees for the current batch. Several colleges and students are in the lurch on what needs to be done next. Students are unable to decide on whether they must seek admission into higher education courses.