Over the course of a semester, one credit corresponds to 15 hours of theoretical instruction, 30 hours of practical work or lab sessions, or 45 hours of experiential learning.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released the Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the implementation of the National Credit
Framework (NCrF), setting out the number of hours classroom learning, practical
work and experiential training that will amount to one credit.
According to the NCTF guidelines, one credit is awarded for one hour of
lecture, teaching, or tutorial per week. Alternatively, two hours of practical
or field work per week, or three hours of experiential learning per week, can
also be equated to one credit.
Over the course of a semester, one credit corresponds to 15 hours of
theoretical instruction, 30 hours of practical work or lab sessions, or 45
hours of experiential learning.
“The NCrF SOP, notified by the UGC, marks a significant step towards our
shared vision of a dynamic, inclusive, lifelong education system that empowers
learners with relevant skills and knowledge for the 21st century,” said UGC
chairman M Jagadesh Kumar.
The NCrF sets a total of
1200 notional (estimate of hours required to complete classes, homework, etc)
learning hours per year across these educational sectors, with 40 credits
awarded upon successful completion. Students can earn additional credits by
taking extra courses, programs, subjects, and projects.
The framework was
approved by the Centre in April last year under the National Education Policy
(NEP) 2020, with a High Level Committee being formed shortly afterwards.
The NCrF provides
multiple entry and exit points, which means that if a student wishes to halt
their studies for some time they can do so, and resume provided they have
enough credit points. This also means that a student wishing to switch to some
other institute, vocation, or even a grade may do so provided they have enough
credit points corresponding to the rules.
The core courses and NCrF
levels from a student’s previous program will need to be mapped to the new
program. If core courses align, transfers should be seamless, but if there is a
mismatch, the receiving institution may still accept the student but must
provide a bridge course to address any gaps. Institutions are required to
publish their lateral entry eligibility criteria and admission process on their
websites.
UGC chief Kumar also said
that he hopes the framework would enhance transparency and flexibility in
education and contribute to providing skilled manpower to support India’s
economic growth.
However, some academics
raised concerns about the implementation of the new framework. Mithuraaj
Dhusiya, a member of the Delhi University Academic Council, said the SOP will
“complicate” things further as “having so many conditions takes away the focus
from the main degree.”
“There is a limited
number of credits as a part of curriculum and minimum number of credits to get
to next year. These guidelines will take away time from the core courses as
students will be burdened and will not end up learning anything. This structure
will complicate things further,” Dhusiya said.
Source
| Hindustan Times | 9th August 2024
Regards!
Librarian
Rizvi
Institute of Management
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