Mumbai: In a faux pas, first-year psychology students took their exam without a university syllabus. After the semester 1 exam, Mumbai University woke up to the fact that their system, which does not have the syllabus, is not likely to accept exam forms to process results. Principals likened this to navigating without a compass and each college followed its own path, leading to inconsistency across campuses
Explaining the issue, a principal said that, according to National Education Policy, three structures for students had to be designed: M1, M2, and M3, indicating the number of major subjects a student could opt for. However, Mumbai University’s board of studies (BoS) chairman only partially prepared the syllabus for M1, leaving colleges wanting to opt for a more balanced M2 or M3 structure in the lurch. For each of them, M1, M2, and M3, the number of chapters had to be specified for each of the options.
“A large majority of colleges opted for M2 or M3. M1 is not a popular choice as students are never 100% clear in the first year about the major, they want to pick through their 4-year course. On the other hand, M2 and M3 give them an option, and over the progress of their academic journey, they can narrow down their choice of major,” explained the principal of a college.
But the chairman of the board of studies (psychology) only designed the syllabus partially for M1 and uploaded the same on its website.
Several principals have written to the vice-chancellor, stating that there was no syllabus for the minors required for M2. A principal said, “Interestingly, the university’s vice-chancellor also recommended that colleges opt for M2 and M3 so there is a balance among departments with regards to workload. Yet, the university failed to design the syllabus for the same. As the academic year rolled on, we started teaching as per our own understanding.”
Every college taught students as per their understanding, and students took the first semester exam based on what each was taught.
When the university had to issue the marksheet and students’ exam forms needed to be processed, there could be a glitch as the system does not have a syllabus for M2 and M3.
When asked for clarification, Board of Studies chairman Vivek Belekar pointed a finger towards the dean of humanities who insisted the necessary information had already been shared with the board.
The board of studies, however, had not prepared the syllabus until Friday when the BoS hurriedly prepared the syllabus for minors that was pending.
“I have suggested immediate course correction so that students do not suffer,” said Anil Singh, dean of humanities.
Mumbai: In a faux pas, first-year psychology students took their exam without a university syllabus. After the semester 1 exam, Mumbai University woke up to the fact that their system, which does not have the syllabus, is not likely to accept exam forms to process results. Principals likened this to navigating without a compass and each college followed its own path, leading to inconsistency across campuses
Explaining the issue, a principal said that, according to National Education Policy, three structures for students had to be designed: M1, M2, and M3, indicating the number of major subjects a student could opt for. However, Mumbai University’s board of studies (BoS) chairman only partially prepared the syllabus for M1, leaving colleges wanting to opt for a more balanced M2 or M3 structure in the lurch. For each of them, M1, M2, and M3, number of chapters had to be specified for each of the options.
“A large majority of colleges opted for M2 or M3. M1 is not a popular choice as students are never 100% clear in the first year about the major, they want to pick through their 4-year course. On the other hand, M2 and M3 give them an option, and over the progress of their academic journey, they can narrow down their choice of major,” explained the principal of a college.
But the chairman of board of studies (psychology) only designed the syllabus partially for M1 and uploaded the same on its website.
Several principals have written to vice-chancellor, stating that there was no syllabus for the minors required for M2. A principal said, “Interestingly, the university’s vice-chancellor also recommended that colleges opt for M2 and M3 so there is a balance among departments with regards to workload. Yet, the university failed to design the syllabus for the same. As the academic year rolled on, we started teaching as per our own understanding.”
Every college taught students as per their understanding, and students took the first semester exam based on what each was taught.
When the university had to issue the marksheet and students’ exam forms needed to be processed, there could be a glitch as the system does not have a syllabus for M2 and M3.
When asked for clarification, Board of Studies chairman Vivek Belekar pointed a finger towards the dean of humanities who insisted the necessary information had already been shared with the board.
The board of studies, however, had not prepared the syllabus until Friday when the BoS hurriedly prepared the syllabus for minors that was pending.
“I have suggested immediate course correction so that students do not suffer,” said Anil Singh, dean of humanities.
