The opinion of experts is divided on the announcement of conducting University Entrance Test (CUET) according to the NCERT syllabus, similar to the University Grants Commission (UGC). Some believe that this will harm the students of those school boards where teaching is made from other books.
UGC chief M Jagadesh Kumar on Monday announced that Kendriya Vidyalayas will use CUET scores and not on the basis of marks obtained in class 12 for admitting students to undergraduate (UG) programs from this year.
Kumar said that the syllabus of CUET will be according to the class 12th model of NCERT. Sudha Acharya, head of the National Progressive School Conference, said, “Many state boards are using NCERT books while some have their own books. CBSE uses NCERT books which are more progressive towards competition. ,
He said, “NCERT books are very standardized and they are written by renowned experts. The ICSE board has different books and the students there may suffer.”
However, NCERT books are also taught in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan boards. A principal of an ICSE school, requesting anonymity, said it seemed as though CUET would be harmful, especially for ICSE board students, but added that it would be better to wait now before jumping to any conclusions.
However, Delhi University professor Rajesh Jha said that CUET will be disadvantageous for students coming from rural areas and other state boards.
He said, “Coaching institutes have started giving coaching for CUET. This means that students from urban areas and those who have the resources will be benefitted. Delhi University professor Abha Dev Habib also concurred with Jha saying they were imposing the same curriculum on everyone.
“Education is a subject in the concurrent list and there are different state boards in the country,” he said. International students will be exempted from CUET for taking admission in Indian universities.