State warns varsities to update curriculum soon

The state government has decided to keep a close eye on curriculum updates in universities in the state, after its earlier directives were all but ignored.u00a0Realising that no university has implemented any change in their respective curricula despite clear directives issued to them along with a time frame, the state government has now appointed a committee of experts to ensure that revisions are made to the curricula of all non-agricultural universities.u00a0

Ultimatum: If it is found that a particular university has failed to carry out the prescribed process, a report will be submitted to the governor.u00a0File Pic

The government order that was issued recently comes as a warning to universities, strictly laying down that curriculum should be updated at intervals of three years.

The state government issued directives for such updates a few months back, during a meeting with Governor S Shankaranarayanan, who is also chancellor of universities. He was informed that the curriculum should keep abreast of current issues such as globalisation, should be employment- oriented and aim at creating skilled manpower of 45 lakh people in the state.

The updated curriculum should be on par with international standards, it was said. The government order takes note of the fact that the universities haven't followed the directives, and passes the stern injunction that outdated curricula be replaced with a revised version immediately.

Not stopping at that, the state government has also appointed a committee, to be headed by the state director for higher education. The state director for technical education will be the committee's deputy director, while the director for art and regional deputy directors of higher and technical education will constitute the team. The joint director of higher education will be the committee's member secretary.

The committee has been asked to submit reports to the state government soon. If it is found that a particular university has failed to carry out the prescribed process, a report will be submitted to the governor, the circular warns.

Rajesh Tope, minister for higher and technical education, said that the government wants early revision of curricula. "It should be dynamic and at par with international standards, keeping present needs in mind. The process should be completed at the earliest to meet the challenges," Tope said. u00a0