UGC Plan To Cut English Credits Sparks Row
Osmania University faculty unite against UGC's proposal to cut English credits, citing threats to students' global competitiveness and academic prospects.
Hyderabad: The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) proposal to reduce the credit requirement for English in undergraduate courses from 20 to 12 has sparked strong opposition from faculty members at Osmania University and its affiliated colleges.
In an emergency meeting held by the department of English at Osmania University’s Arts College, the proposed removal of English language instruction from the second and third years of the undergraduate programme was discussed. The move is part of efforts to restructure the UG curriculum in line with the UGC’s new credit framework.
Faculty members from affiliated colleges voiced unanimous concern over the potential academic and career impact this change could have on students. Many warned that this reduction would weaken students’ command of English, a critical skill in corporate and academic settings.
A. Elizabeth Paul, head of the English department at Pragati Mahavidyalaya, said, “This proposal will severely limit students’ language proficiency. In today’s globalised world, even local markets operate on global terms. There have been efforts to introduce business English to better equip students for competitive environments. Cutting back on English instruction is a step in the wrong direction.”
She further added that students planning to pursue higher education abroad would be at a disadvantage. “Foreign universities often require 20 or more English language credits. Our students will struggle to meet those benchmarks if this proposal is implemented,” she explained.
The meeting was chaired by Prof. B. Vijaya, head of the English department, OU. She assured the gathering that academic decisions would be made keeping the best interests of students in mind and that the university would communicate its final stance by the end of the month. Most participants at the meeting expressed strong opposition to the proposed reduction, with the English faculty standing united in rejecting the move.
