Flaws in New AICTE rules

Synopsis: The new AICTE rules allow non-Physics and Non-Maths students to pursue engineering. It will impact students’ prospects in education.

Background

• Recently, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) brought changes to the entry-level qualification for undergraduate engineering programmes.
• According to the new changes, students who haven’t studied either physics or mathematics (or both) in Classes 11 and 12, will be eligible for admission in undergraduate engineering programs.
• Earlier, an engineering aspirant was required to pass high school with physics and mathematics as compulsory subjects.
• Under the new norms, a candidate is expected to have scored at least 45% in any three subjects out of a list of 14 subjects. It gives choice for students to pursue engineering without opting Physics, mathematics from the listed 14 subjects.

AICTE’s rationale behind the move

• AICTE stated that the new changes are in line with the new National Education Policy’s multidisciplinary approach.
• Further, they have decided to supplement the student’s lack of knowledge in Physics and maths through a bridge course.
• This new decision by AICTE attracted criticism from Niti Aayog member and Scientific Advisor Scientist V K Saraswat.

What are the issues with the new AICTE rules?

• First, according to V K Saraswat, developing strong basics in mathematics and physics is easier during the school period. Most of the Engineering subjects require depth knowledge in physics and maths. It will be difficult for non -background students to develop these logics in a short period.
• Second, offering bridge courses to cope with Maths and physics concepts will reduce the student’s ability to excel in graduation. For example, a non-background student needs at least 2 semesters to study physics and maths through a bridge course. It will be difficult for him to cope up with both graduation subject and bridge courses simultaneously.
• Third, worldwide there has been a renewed focus on STEM subjects. Nowadays, every subject even MMBS doctors are using mathematics. In this scenario, neglecting sciences and maths at the school level will limit students’ opportunities.

Colleges need to complete bridge courses before starting formal classes so that students will be pre-equipped with the knowledge of science and maths.

Source: Indian Express