Montek for need to clear ‘block’ in higher education

Montek for need to clear ‘block’ in higher education

In the 12th five year plan, the Planning Commission has set an aim to raise the gross enrolment ratio from the current level of 15 per cent to 30 per cent over the next 15 years. For higher education, the 12th Plan objective is expansion, equality of access and excellence.

However for this, there is need to remove ‘dysfunctional regulation’ in higher education, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia said during a FICCI Higher Education Summit.

“The challenge before planners, policy makers and educationists, both in the public and private sector, was of producing world class Indian universities that could be counted in the top 200 rating list. But for this there is need to lend an international flavour to Indian universities by inducting international faculty. This would not happen unless the government removes the restriction on employment of international faculty,” Ahluwalia said.

Under the existing rules, Indian universities are not allowed to recruit foreign faculty. He said the 12th Plan Approach Paper has laid special emphasis in making primary education more widespread and higher education more research-based.