Environment science course to be an e-experience

Now colleges will have to teach the subject of environment science through e-learning. Since the University Grants Commission has not created any new posts for the teachers of environment science, many colleges do not have enough teachers to teach this compulsory subject.

To solve this problem, the higher education department issued a government resolution on June 7, advising colleges to teach environment science by using ‘e-learning facility’ provided by a service provider selected and approved by the UGC so that the students do not suffer.

The department has appointed a service provider which will provide study material to all the colleges. The study material has been approved by the UGC. This service provider will hold workshops in all colleges to teach the students on how to use the study material. The e-learning material consists not just of theory but includes 50 to 60 projects for the students to work on and it also teaches them how to do it. The course material also consists of a few CDs that can be viewed on any computer.

Sadashiv Shivdas, joint secretary higher education, said, “This is only a temporary solution for six months. We have already invited ‘expression of interests from other service providers who can create better and more competent material. The final bidder will get to prepare the material.”

The subject was made compulsory by a recent supreme court order, but the UGC has not given colleges any instructions on appointing new teachers for it. “Most colleges are using their existing teachers for the subject or hiring outside faculty. Colleges do not have separate teachers for it since the UGC has not created new posts,” he added.