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The Human Resource Development Minister, Shri. Arjun Singh has stressed the need for respecting the autonomy of Universities. Addressing the Conference of Governors here today, he said that the Government will evolve mechanisms through the University Grants Commission to provide greater incentives for universities that put ‘a premium on autonomy’. “one of the options available is to move towards a model of block grants for the universities both by the UGC as well as by the State governments.” He urged the state governments to consider a suitable model of funding universities. Shri. Singh said that ideally, even the financial control over the university system should be through independent audit authorities and not through government departments. ”The model of Central Universities can be emulated in this regard”, he said.
Shri Arjun Singh said since autonomy affects standards of education and that standards cannot be allowed to be lowered in any state, assaults on autonomy would need to be looked at seriously. He said, this should be done in consultation with such states and through wide a consultation with all stakeholders. “We intend continuing the dialogue with the states so that the present deadlock in some of them – where there are attempts to amend the statutes to curb the role of the governor a chancellor on the one hand, and a reaction to that in the form of withholding of assent to such amendments can be resolved. The sooner the better, as it would be for the benefit of our university system”.
Giving a bird’s eye view of the present status and future challenges in higher education sector, Shri Singh said only eight out of hundred have access to higher education in the country. This is one-third of what a developing country like Malaysia has achieved. The problem becomes more acute when we look at access to technical education, access for the weaker sections of the society including the minorities. He said, there are challenges of globalisation leading to greater internationalization of higher education and our universities cannot afford to be left behind.
Shri Singh said that the present enrollment of students in higher education is estimated to be 94 lakhs and the demand is growing at 5 per cent. He said the impact of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan would require an increased in take at the secondary stage and even a conservative estimate puts the figure around 3.5 crore children, which is double the present output at the elementary stage. The possible universalisation of secondary education would in turn impact the Indian higher education system. “We have to expand capacity, quality and distribution of the conventional university system, strengthen the options of distance and open learning, revamp vocational education by linking it to the requirements of the market and draw upon the concept of community colleges”, he added.
Shri Singh said that the government is against the total commercialization of higher education but this issue can no longer be brushed under the carpet due to acute paucity of resources. The question of raising college fees which are extremely low, the introduction of paying courses and public private partnerships need to be considered. He informed the gathering that this issue is being looked at by a CABE Committee headed by a member of the Planning Commission.
SRK/SPS/SK
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