Bengaluru: Colleges to ask pupils to choose 3rd subject

Bengaluru: Private colleges in the city that have already admitted students for their dual major programmes in the format prescribed by National Education Policy (NEP) will connect with their applicants again asking them to pick a third subject they are offering.
Since NEP was rolled out in 2021, colleges have been offering degree programmes with two subjects as majors.After Congress took over in Karnataka last year, NEP was withdrawn and a new State Education Policy (SEP) was announced.
In the first concrete step taken in this regard, the commission formed to frame the policy has changed the format of degree programmes. As per the new format released Wednesday, college degree programmes will have three majors.
However, several colleges have already admitted students for the dual major format. Many of the colleges have now decided to call such students asking them to choose a third major from the options they offer.
"Once we decide what the combinations will be, students will be informed of the same. In case they can make the choices over the phone, they can inform us. Else, they are free to walk into the campus, discuss with the department and then decide," said the principal of NMKRV College for Women, G Snehalatha.
Fr Victor Lobo, vice-chancellor, St Joseph's University, said, "There was a similar change in 2021 when NEP came in. We first have to get academic bodies of the university to approve the new courses and the board of studies to draw up the syllabus. As soon as these protocols are over, we will inform the students."
Kristu Jayanti College said it will approach the Karnataka State Higher Education Council, seeking possibilities of continuing the dual major programme for the upcoming year as admissions have already been made. "Admissions have been made. We are worried whether it will affect students from other states," said Fr Augustine George, principal, Kristu Jayanti College.
The higher education department has said it will ask universities to guide colleges to make a smooth transition to the programme.
Bengaluru City University VC Lingaraju Gandhi said the board of studies will meet soon to make decisions on the framework.
"There are technical issues like fees for the new programmes that are being notified. The admission calendar is also being framed and colleges will have to make the admissions through UUCMS (Unified University and College Management System) during the prescribed period. It would likely be in June," he said.