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Higher education: Meet focus on class gaps
The meeting of the HRD Ministry on ‘Legislative Reforms in Higher Education’ evoked various concerns from the Members of Parliament. A majority held the opinion that the envisaged expansion of higher education should not result in a heightened rural-urban and rich-poor divide as also a divide among those who can speak English and those who cannot.
Apprehending that the rich-poor divide could be further deepened, the members pointed out that till the secondary and higher secondary education sector, especially in Government schools, is not improved the poorer sections will not be adequately prepared for good quality higher education.
Another concern was on the poor teacher-student ratio in colleges and declining standards of college education. A suggestion was made by some MPs that the Centre should set up a Centrally-run college in every district of the country in the manner of Kendriya or Navodaya Vidyalayas.
Certain MPs also expressed displeasure on the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) being located in one place (Bangalore) and having no other branches, which inconveniences people.
Concern was also raised over a number of engineering seats being left vacant as in some parts of the country there appears to be more engineering colleges than required.
Regarding the Tribunal Bill and other Bills which envisage committees, it was suggested by an MP that these committees must have at least one SC/ST/OBC member and also females as members. Some MPs were concerned over the advertisements put out by educational institutions which at many times are patently false and dupe students.
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal stated that the Ministry has asked the AICTE to write to those State Governments where there is a surplus of vacant seats as to whether recognition should be given to more engineering colleges from these States.
Apprehending that the rich-poor divide could be further deepened, the members pointed out that till the secondary and higher secondary education sector, especially in Government schools, is not improved the poorer sections will not be adequately prepared for good quality higher education.
Another concern was on the poor teacher-student ratio in colleges and declining standards of college education. A suggestion was made by some MPs that the Centre should set up a Centrally-run college in every district of the country in the manner of Kendriya or Navodaya Vidyalayas.
Certain MPs also expressed displeasure on the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) being located in one place (Bangalore) and having no other branches, which inconveniences people.
Concern was also raised over a number of engineering seats being left vacant as in some parts of the country there appears to be more engineering colleges than required.
Regarding the Tribunal Bill and other Bills which envisage committees, it was suggested by an MP that these committees must have at least one SC/ST/OBC member and also females as members. Some MPs were concerned over the advertisements put out by educational institutions which at many times are patently false and dupe students.
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal stated that the Ministry has asked the AICTE to write to those State Governments where there is a surplus of vacant seats as to whether recognition should be given to more engineering colleges from these States.
