Ignoring Bengali in B Ed has political motive, says AU professor

 Special correspondent

SILCHAR, April 23: The news item ‘Ignoring Bengali in B.Ed. course draws criticism’ published in The Sentinel issue dated April 20 has drawn the attention of the Prof. Nikunja Behari Biswas, Dean, education, Assam University, who finds political motive behind it. The news item in question was based on the contents of letter written by Prof. Dilip Kumar Dey, former principal of TT College, Silchar, to the Registrar of Assam University, who cited in particular the decision of Assam University to include Urdu instead of Bengali in B.Ed. course.

 For admission test to B.Ed. course in any affiliated college, it has been decided to hold a Common Admission Test (CAT), in Assam University and its Diphu campus only. Prof. Dilip Kumar Dey criticized the decision as arbitrary, ignoring the fact that Barak Valley is a Bengali domited region where Urdu is not taught in any affiliated colleges of the Assam University. This, as pointed out by Prof. Dey, speaks of ignoring the academic interests and career of students.

 Prof. Dey in particular had held Prof. Nityanda Pandey, head, department of education, and Prof. Nikunja Behari Biswas, dean, education, responsible for such unrealistic decision. There is nothing political, Prof. Dey clarified and said the matter is purely academic. Prof. O H Medhi, Principal, TT College, Silchar, when contacted confirmed the observation of Prof. Dey. The B.Ed. syllabus is not yet placed and approved by the Academic Council of Assam University, it is informed.