KSHEC flags concerns over UGC’s draft model curricula; constitutes panel chaired by Prabhat Patnaik for evaluation

The University Grants Commission’s draft Learning Outcomes based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) came under sharp criticism at the executive body meeting of Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) held here on Tuesday.

The council viewed the draft model curricula as retrogressive and expressed serious concerns about its contradictions with the UGC’s own curriculum and credit framework. The members also argued that LOCF imposes obsolete content, potentially undermining the multidisciplinary approach central to modern higher education.

Tasked by the State government to evaluate the draft curricula, the KSHEC has constituted an expert committee for a comprehensive review. The panel will be chaired by renowned economist and former Kerala State Planning Board vice-chairperson and economist, Prof. Prabhat Patnaik, and co-chaired by KSHEC vice-chairperson Prof. Rajan Gurukkal.

Other members of the committee include Prof. Vani Kesari (Cochin University of Science and Technology), Prof. N.J. Rao (former professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru) and Prof. Rajan Varughese, KSHEC member secretary. Eminent historian Romila Thapar will join as a special invitee.

The committee has been tasked with a critical evaluation of the UGC’s draft curricula, focusing on “their academic rigour, scientific validity, ideological neutrality and compatibility with Kerala’s long-standing traditions of secular and inclusive education”.

The committee will also assess the potential impact of the draft curricula on the autonomy of State universities, amid concerns that the proposed frameworks could result in greater centralisation of curricular control under the UGC.

In addition, it will review the inherent contradictions between the draft LOCF and the Curriculum Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes, also published by the UGC. The committee’s recommendations will ultimately shape Kerala’s official response.

The executive body meeting, chaired by Prof. Gurukkal, was attended by Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Sharmila Mary Joseph; Prof. Varughese, Sabu Thomas, M.S. Rajasree, P.P. Ajayakumar and Paul V. Karanthanam.