TY teachers not prepared for the new syllabus test

Lecturers not trained yet, students waiting for textbooks

MUMBAI: While a new academic year always brings a new set of anxieties for students as well as teachers, those admitted to the third and final year of degree courses have another challenge to face this year: a new syllabus. The University of Mumbai (MU) gradually started revising the curricula of undergraduate courses from 2016-17, beginning with the first year curricula.

They culminated the process with the third year curricula in 2018-19. The procedure to update the syllabi of over 100 programmes offered by Mu-affiliated colleges will continue till July 14, with a few days left for the academic year to begin.

As a result, even as most of the colleges have started their classes, many lecturers are yet to be trained in the new syllabi, while students are awaiting the arrival of their new textbooks. The new curricula have retained many of the existing subjects, with addition of data.

For example, students of the third year of Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) have to study two compulsory papers, but can choose four out of the six papers on offer in each of the three special subjects –human resources, finance and marketing.

“BMS students will now get to study the content taught in MBA,” said Nikita Kukreja, BMS coordinator at RD National College, Bandra, and a member of the MU’S syllabus revision committee for BMS.

However, some teachers claimed that despite the provision of offering new papers, many

colleges have decided to stick to the existing ones.

“The university has added two new practical-oriented subjects in the third year of Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (BAF), but the colleges where I teach haven’t offered them,” said Khoj Agarwal, a visiting professor .

Parag Ajgaokar, principal, NM College, Vile Parle, said many colleges are unable to offer new papers due to financial and infrastructural

constraints.

Ajgaonkar also blamed students for this situation. “Students are hesitant to opt for new papers.”

While MU had organised various workshops, Vipin Saboo, a visiting faculty, said that there is lack of clarity regarding the new curricula.

“There are no books available yet for some of the subjects,” said a student from MD College, Parel.