Academic Freedom and Employability:A Neoliberal Agenda to Guide Education Reform

In the context of the recently introduced Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) in the University of Delhi for the academic year 2013–14, it has become imperative to make an attempt to analyse critically the rationale behind such a measure which has far-reaching consequences for higher education in India. It is also incumbent on us to understand whether it is an offshoot of the entire gamut of policy initiatives being contemplated and implemented in the realm of Indian higher education, or just another supplementary policy initiative. This new programme is arguably based on two objectives as stated: ensuring academic freedom to students and enhancing their employability in the job market. Though prima facie there is a case for pursuing both objectives, it is important to probe deeper to unravel the implications of such a measure for education and the education system.