An organisation of SC/ST teachers and students today sought intervention of UGC to stop implementation of Delhi University's four-year undergraduate programme, saying it would further exclude students belonging to weaker sections.
Joint Action Front for Democratic Education, comprising teachers and students of DU and members from backward communities, submitted a memorandum to University Grants Commission (UGC) seeking its intervention to stop the "hurried introduction" of the new format.
"The programme will be a costly affair for those belonging to poor families as they would not be able to afford the one extra year. The financial burden of the extra year needed to obtain an Honours degree will hit students, especially those belonging to SC, ST, OBC and rural poor.
"The dropout rate of these students is likely to increase. The multiple exit points at two, three and four years will ensure that only the privileged will reach the last stage, while students from marginalised and underprivileged backgrounds will be forced to exit with a lower degree," said Hany Babu, member of the front.
The new programme entails awarding a diploma if a student exits after two years, a bachelor's degree after three years and a bachelor's degree with honours or a B Tech degree on completion of four years.
The four-year programme with multiple degree options will entail a shift from the present 10+2+3 scheme to a four-year graduation with multiple exit points.
