Varsity teacher expects to roll back FYUP from the new government

Delhi University teachers too, like millions of other Indians, have pinned a number of expectations on the about-to-be-sworn new government. But for a large section of teachers, irrespective of their political affiliations, the basic expectation from the new government is the same — rollback of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP).

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its manifesto had promised to roll back FYUP. Teachers and students are now wondering if the party will live up to its promise.

“The only thing I’m expecting from the new government is the rollback of the FYUP. Their leaders have spoken out against it and I am waiting to see if they bring up the issue again,” said a teacher who did not want to be named. The BJP, along with Left parties, had opposed the FYUP in the past too. Members of both the parties have stood together as one in the past to oppose the new system.

BJP’s Udit Raj, who won the election from North West Delhi, was part of the struggle against the system before and after it was passed by the university.

“T he rollback was par t of our manifesto and it is something I strongly support. As of now, there are a number of things that have to happen before any issues can be taken up. This matter also requires discussion,” Raj said.

BJP’s student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP) had also stringently opposed the new system.

Most teachers, however, have refused to give up hope. “We are hoping that Udit Raj, who was part of our anti-FYUP campaign, will raise this issue. Since Delhi University is a central university, the incoming government should not have a problem rolling back the change if they wish to. We will keep building pressure on the government to rethink and bring about change,” said a teacher who did not want to be named.

Others, on the other hand, chose to be cautious.

“While the BJP spoke out against the FYUP, we have to remember that they, with their ideology, are likely to encourage a system like the FYUP that promotes privatisation. They might see merit in the system, which aligns it with the American education system, and may decide to keep it,” said another teacher.

Source: click4college, Delhi