At the end of a year-long exercise that began in May 2022 and ended in April 2023, colleges across the State have now been urged to follow a syllabus framed by Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (Tansche), from the current academic year. Arts and science colleges, which have admitted over 1.11 lakh students this year, are to teach students as per the new syllabus, T.N. Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy announced. About 75% of the syllabus of every college should be the same, as per the decree.
Initially, sporadic voices rose against what was termed “the imposition of a common syllabus”, and these voices became more vehement, closer to the start of the academic year. A few teachers’ associations, were, at first, against this move, but later issued statements supporting it, adding to the confusion. Mr. Ponmudy regularly addressed these concerns, through meetings with Vice Chancellors first, and later with the principals of autonomous colleges in Chennai. Yet, divided opinions persist, and those opposing the move to bring about a uniform syllabus seem loudest in the academic community.
