Credit policy a major issue in PU polls

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, August 20

The change in required credits or passing papers for promotion to the next class in science departments has emerged as a major issue in the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) elections. 

So far, three parties have protested over it and demanded special chance for science students. 

The Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) protested demanding special change for science students, followed by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staging a sit-in inside the office of the Dean of University Instructions (DUI) on August 13. The authorities pacified them by offering to have special chance exam for BSc final year. 

On Monday, two students from the Students Oranisation of India (SOI), Gurvinder Singh, who is a student of BSc-II year in mathematics department, and Lovepreet Singh, who is a student of BSc-III year in physics department, sat on an indefinite hunger strike over the issue. However, they lifted the sit-in as the DUI issued a statement over special chance to students.

Earlier, Jastinder Bhangu, campus president of PUSU, also sat on hunger strike over the issue. The parties are claiming that in BPharmacy and 5-year law course, one needs to have only 50 per cent credits, whereas from 2018-19 onwards, the number of credits required for promotion to the next class has been enhanced from 50 per cent to 80 per cent in science departments at bachelors’ level.

DUI order on Monday 

“The chairpersons of science departments are advised to have case-by-case discussion on all such cases (where credits are not being fulfilled for promotion to next class) in the Board of Control of the department. After short listing and discussing the cases in the Board of Control, the cases along with recommendation be forwarded to the DUI for further consideration,” said the order.

“Special chance for examination is expected to be scheduled in the second week of September. The examination schedule will be circulated by the office of the Controller of Examinations. The filling of examination forms and other formalities have to be followed as per rules for which the schedule will be announced. The chairpersons are requested to start the process in this direction and forward the decision of the Board of Control to the DUI's office at the earliest,” added the order. But there is resentment among science teachers for relaxation in rules as they say it will lower the quality of honour school courses. “The DUI cannot give a blank cheque to students,” said a faculty member.