Row over math, physics options for engg: AICTE withdraws its handbook

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Row over math, physics options for engg: AICTE withdraws its handbook

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 13,03,2021

A day after TOI reported that mathematics and physics at Class XII-level had been made optional for admission to engineering courses, the All-India Council for Technical Education chairperson on Friday clarified that the changes were not binding on institutions. Hours later, the AICTE withdrew its approval process handbook (APH) for 2021-22, which had the new eligibility criteria.

AICTE chairperson Anil Sahasrabudhe said the new guidelines were futuristic and in keeping with the vision of the National Education Policy-2020. Physics, chemistry and maths would continue to be important subjects in engineering courses, but students would have the option to study biotechnology, textile or agriculture engineering through bridge courses.

These guidelines were not compulsory and states and institutions would be free to continue with the existing policy, Sahasrabudhe said.

By afternoon, the AICTE website carried a ticker: “It is to inform all concerned that APH 2021-22 has been withdrawn for a short period and to be placed again on the AICTE website within a day or two.”

After widespread criticism, AICTE withdraws handbook

It also removed the APH (handbook) released on its website. By night, the announcement read: “It is to inform all concerned that APH 2021-22 has been withdrawn for a typographical corrections and it will be placed again on the AICTE website within a day or two.”

The AICTE move had drawn wide protests, and a few voices in support. Many academicians said students will struggle in engineering programmes without knowing foundational mathematics.

Welcoming the AICTE’s decision to withdraw the new criteria, Anna University vicechancellor M K Surappa said maths is very critical to engineering. “Engineering itself is becoming more and more complex and requires creative solutions and analytical skills. Maths plays a very critical and advanced role in effectiveness of engineering,” he said.

However,Sandeep Sancheti, former vice-chancellor of SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai, said, “In principle, making Class XII-level maths and physics optional for engineering admissions is a good move. It will keep the entry open for someone who wants to correct his or her path. However, it needs more finer details on the implementation.”

Earlier, explaining the rationale for the AICTE move, Sahasrabudhe said, “There was a very classic case which came up this year during admission into an agricultural engineering or agricultural technology course where mathematics, physics and chemistry are mandatory. Now in open schooling and CBSE, there are subjects like agricultural chemistry. However, these institutes are only accepting pure chemistry.”