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CHENNAI: Mathematics in Class XII is no longer compulsory for applying for a third of engineering courses, including architecture, biotechnology and fashion technology, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) announced on Tuesday. .
In its new guidelines for 2022-23, AICTE has also made Chemistry in Class XII optional to study Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Electronic Engineering.
Mathematics was made optional for 10 of the 29 degree/MU courses. Instead, students who have studied one of 14 subjects, including computer science, electronics, information technology, biology, biotechnology, technical vocational subject, agriculture, l graphic engineering, computer practices, business studies and entrepreneurship, can now take engineering courses.
In its 2021-22 guidelines, AICTE had made mathematics and physics optional for all engineering courses, drawing widespread criticism. This year it has sought to address concerns by limiting classes that do not require math, chemistry or physics.
“According to the National Education Policy 2020, the school education system is divided into 5 + 3 + 3 + 4. The last four years will not be devoted to arts, sciences and commerce. They will study a type of course liberal arts where they can take classes in math, physics and psychology or chemistry and computer science.This will help students join any other new programs when they finish class 12. This window of opportunity or this program is allowed with appropriate bridging courses in the first two semesters,” AICTE President Anil D Sahasrabudhe told directors in an online meeting.
However, educationists have criticized the move, saying holding bridging courses will not help students understand the basics and will result in the training of shoddy engineers.
“Physics, mathematics and chemistry of minimum fundamental level are compulsory for BE, BTech courses. When AICTE says colleges should run bridging courses, they are indirectly accepting that these subjects are important for engineering,” said former University Vice-Chancellor Anna E Balagurusamy.
However, some said the move would provide flexibility. “It offers students, who have chosen different subjects in upper secondary, the opportunity to pursue vocational degree programs,” said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, Vice Chancellor of Sastra.
In its new guidelines for 2022-23, AICTE has also made Chemistry in Class XII optional to study Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Electronic Engineering.
Mathematics was made optional for 10 of the 29 degree/MU courses. Instead, students who have studied one of 14 subjects, including computer science, electronics, information technology, biology, biotechnology, technical vocational subject, agriculture, l graphic engineering, computer practices, business studies and entrepreneurship, can now take engineering courses.
In its 2021-22 guidelines, AICTE had made mathematics and physics optional for all engineering courses, drawing widespread criticism. This year it has sought to address concerns by limiting classes that do not require math, chemistry or physics.
“According to the National Education Policy 2020, the school education system is divided into 5 + 3 + 3 + 4. The last four years will not be devoted to arts, sciences and commerce. They will study a type of course liberal arts where they can take classes in math, physics and psychology or chemistry and computer science.This will help students join any other new programs when they finish class 12. This window of opportunity or this program is allowed with appropriate bridging courses in the first two semesters,” AICTE President Anil D Sahasrabudhe told directors in an online meeting.
However, educationists have criticized the move, saying holding bridging courses will not help students understand the basics and will result in the training of shoddy engineers.
“Physics, mathematics and chemistry of minimum fundamental level are compulsory for BE, BTech courses. When AICTE says colleges should run bridging courses, they are indirectly accepting that these subjects are important for engineering,” said former University Vice-Chancellor Anna E Balagurusamy.
However, some said the move would provide flexibility. “It offers students, who have chosen different subjects in upper secondary, the opportunity to pursue vocational degree programs,” said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, Vice Chancellor of Sastra.
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