- The pandemic-induced challenges that have been across the sectors are stating obvious. The education sector too faced several restrictions that stymied the aspirations of impressionable aged students who were on the cusp of a breakthrough in their career choices. Of course, the education reform was the need of the hour to usher in path-breaking initiatives in line with the fast-changing times. In one such move, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is set to extend to all central universities and affiliated colleges. Each of their undergraduate courses will see admissions based on students’ CUET scores, from the coming session itself.
PC: Saitechinfo
- For the uninitiated, this test has been tottering on since its launch way back in 2010, but the National Education Policy 2020 and the pandemic firmed up the resolve around it. Mind you, chaotic admission that exhausted students and faculty alike, should not segue into an efficient process that reduces the burden on all concerned dramatically and also creates a more level playing field. Delving further will reveal the nuances surrounding the move. A radical departure is a shift from an admission process that was often about board exam marks alone to one where these marks will have zero weightage.
- Of course, this part of UGC’s announcement on Monday was a surprise, while central universities’ shift to CUET had been announced last year itself. Needless to mention, many Class XII students are dismayed. As you are aware, this year’s CBSE board exam has been split into two terms, moreover, with marks from the last first term having been released only when the second term exam is upon them, these students feel the rules keep getting changed on them, randomly, and stressfully. Undoubtedly, it is true that with CUET applications likely opening in the first week of April with the test itself taking place in the first week of July, the window for adjusting to the new entrance system is nervily narrow.
PC: Proche Editor
- Nonetheless, binning the board exam marks was necessary as these kept breaking records even in 2021 when students seldom went to school. Differing evaluation standards also tilt the scales for different boards very unevenly. As such, CUET is expected to be more credible and fair. Additionally, as NEP suggests, instead of hundreds of universities devising their own entrance modules, the new system will create efficiencies across the entire education system. Right now, CUET is being mandated only for the 45 central universities. For state, private, and deemed universities this is optional and they should opt-in.
- CUET gives students a wide choice of subjects but before they make a choice, colleges have to finalize which subject tests are required for which courses. Agreed, there will be teething troubles and UGC needs to address each of these with urgency. On the flip side, while CUET is aiming to provide fairer access to quality education, it doesn’t change the quantity at all since many of the top-notice universities will still have legions more aspirants than seats. Thus, bigger reforms are needed to fix those bigger problems. And it should be done expeditiously
