BA Pass fails in Jamia
The debate over the relevance of B.A. (Pass) course at Jamia Millia Islamia univer- sity (JMI) has finally concluded with a decision that favours the gainsayers. Found wanting on “career value“, the course has been discontinued for the new academic year starting July.
The decision, which was taken during a recent Academic Council meeting on April 5, has suspended the course “tem- porarily“. During the 
interim period, the varsity will look at restructuring the course.
“B.A. (Pass) is not contem- porary enough and doesn't help students secure a specializa- tion in any area. So we have scrapped the course for this year at least,“ said Media Coordinator Simi Malhotra.
Like all courses offered at JMI, BA (Pass) too required candidates with at least 45 per cent in the Class XII examina- tion to appear for a written exam and an interview in order to secure admission. Last year, close to 1,500 candidates had appeared for the written test.
Since the decision came after JMI had already started selling admission forms, the varsity has now issued a corrigendum informing students that they could get the form fee refund- ed from the Department of Social Sciences. “Prospectus work begins much earlier and that's why the decision could not have been incorporated.“
The 195 seats assigned to B.A. (Pass) will be redistributed across other Honours courses.
The move to suspend the course has drawn mixed reac- tions from faculty and students.
While most teachers are happy with the decision, stu- dents are disgruntled. The lat- ter, in fact, are now preparing a petition to submit to the Vice Chancellor requesting him to restore the course.
“There are many first gen- eration learners from the neigh- bourhood that enroll in this course. By discontinuing it the varsity is robbing them of their chance of pursuing higher edu- cation,“ said a professor.
Source: Hindustan Times
Date: 15th April, 2010
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