 REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON
 HIGHER EDUCATION (ANNEXURE-VII)

The Working Group on Higher Education under the Chairmanship of Shri Vikram Verma, Hon. Minister of Educaion, Madhya Pradesh met on 8-9 March, 1991 and deliberated on various issues concerning Higher Education in India.

Gnanam Committee Report

The Group first took up discussion on the Gnanam Committee Report. The Group felt that although the report is too voluminous to be considered in a short meeting, it should benefit from the presence of Prof. Gnanam who was requested to give a brief resume of his recommendations. Prof. Gnanam explained that the management structure of most Indian Universities was based on the pattern of traditional British Universities and this structure was not adequate to meet with the requirements of present day University in India. He stated that the report emphasised the principle of academic autonomy of universities and decentralisation of their management structure. The Report made detailed recommendations about the powers and functions of various officers and Authorities of Universities and the role of teachers, students, politicians and others in its management structure.

The Group felt that the recommendations made by the Gnanam Committee are of far reaching importance and should be very carefully considered by all State Governments. The Group, therefore, recommended that the State Governments should formulate their views on the report in three months time and send their recommendations to the UGC which should process the same and place them before the next meeting of the CABE.

Academic Calendar

The Group expressed serious concern at the disruption of academic schedule in several Universities in the country. Examples were quoted of delay in admissions, examinations. declaration of results and disruption of class-room teaching due

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to agitations and several other reasons. The Group felt that restoration of academic calendar was of utmost importance to restore the credibility of our higher education system. Secretary, UGC explained that UGC had prepared a. model academic calendar which was circulated to all Universities and State Governments for implementation from the academic year 1990-91. The UGC guidelines also provide for setting up a three-tier machinery for monitoring the implementation of the academic calendar. The Group resolved that the calendar prescribed by the UGC with appropriate modifications to suit local conditions, and without reducing the prescribed minimum number of teaching days, should be adopted and implemented by all the Universities. The Group also resolved that for the above purpose necessary statutory provisions may also be made by the Universities before the beginning of the next academic year.

Quality of Higher Education

The Group felt that there are several reasons for deterioration in the quality of. education, particularly at the college level. Serious concern was expressed at the opening of colleges which did not have adequate facilities. It was mentioned that out of nearly 7000 colleges in the country, 3060 colleges have not been found fit for assistance from UGC, as they do not possess necessary infrastructure facilities like buildings, classrooms. laboratories, libraries and some do not even have the required number of teachers and students. Taking this into account the Group recommended that new colleges shall not be permitted if they do not conform to certain basic requirements in terms of population, buildings and other infrastructural facilities. The Group also recommends that UGC should prescribe norms and guidelines to be observed before new colleges are sanctioned and granted affiliation by the Universities. The Group also felt that political will needs to be mobilisd to prevent proliferation of colleges without necessary facilities.

The Group felt that quality of higher education could be improved if the minimum qualifications prescribed by UGC for recruitment of teachers are strictly followed by all Universities and Colleges. The Group also recommended that facilities for inservice training for University and College teachers which are not adequate should be further strengthened.

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University Finances

The Group observed that while there has been a general decline in the share of higher education in the overall budget of education, the requirements of funds in the higher education sector have increased substantially because of increase in number of institutions, students and teachers, and cost of providing education facilities. The Group expresed its concern at the financial condition of several Universities which do not have necessary resources to pay even salaries and have often to depend on bank over-drafts for their day-to-day expenditure. The Group felt that the State Governments should take a serious note of this situation and allocate adequate resources and release them on time to enable the Universities to function smoothly. The Group felt that the UGC and the Government of India should make a reappraisal of the threshold level of financial assistance to Universities and colleges and enhance it, taking into account the developmental needs of each University and college. While making the above recommendations the Group also observed that there is a mood to bring about financial discipline in the Universities and curtail wasteful expenditure. The Group also recommended that the University system should reduce its dependance on Government grants and raise resources on their own. The Group felt that to encourage Universities to do so, they may be allowed to retain the additional resources raised by them.

Promotion of Sports in Universities & Colleges

The Group strongly felt that adequate attention is not being given to promotion of sports and youth activities in our colleges and universities. At present U.G.C. does not provide any resources for development of sports but only acts, as an agency for Department of Youth Affairs and Sports which provides limited funds for development of sports infrastructure and promotion of sports activities. The Group recommended that the sports facilities in colleges and universities should be substantially upgraded and to begin with at least one institution in each district should be provided with minimum sports infrastructure and facilities for coaching and training.

Distance Education

The Group recognised the growing importance of distance education in the system of higher education and recommended that each State should establish an Open University. The Group recommended that the States can utilise the course material

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prepared by the INGOU by having it translated into local languages. The Group also recognised the need of re-orientation of correspondence courses into distance mode by increasing use of audio and video material and counselling facilities. The Group emphasised the need to provide for mobility between Conventional and open university systems.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE GROUP ON HIGHER EDUCATION

        
                                                          Chairman
                                           
        1.   Shri Vikram Verma 
        Education Minister 
        Madhya Pradesh.
        
        
                                                          Repporteur
        2. Shri C. T. Benjamin,
        Commissioner & Secretary, Education
        Government of Karnataka.
         
        3. Dr. D. P. Singh 
        Minister of Higher Education 
        Bihar.
        
        4. Prof.  A. Gnanam 
        Vice-Chancellor 
        Pondicherry University.
        
        5. Prof.  Izhar Hussain 
        Aligarh Muslim University.
        
        6. Prof.  Mrinal Miri
        Deptt. of Philosophy 
        NEHU.
        
        7.  Smt. A. Shukla  
        Professor & Principal 
        Mahila Mahavidyalaya 
        Banaras Hindu University.
        
        8.  Prof. R. Balasubramanian 
        Chairman, ICPR.
        
        9. Prof.  S. K. Khanna 
        Vice-Chairman, UGC.
        
        10.  Shri T. V. Reddy
        Director, Collegiate Education 
        Government of Andhra Pradesh.

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        11.  Shri B. P. Chaudhery
        Joint Secretary (HRD),
        Government of Bihar.
        
        12.  Dr. M. L. Tayal
        Director, Higher Education
        Government of Haryana.
        
        13.  Shri B. K. Gowel
        Director,  Education (Secondary & Higher) 
        Government of  Himachal 
        Pradesh.
        
        14.  Shri Kuruvilla John
        Director of Collegiate Education 
        Government of Kerala.
        
        15.  Shri K. K. Vijayakumar
        Director, Higher Secondary Education 
        Government of Kerala.
        
        16.  Smt.  M. V. Garde
        Principal Secretary
        Government of Madhya Pradesh.
        
        17.  Ms. Alka Sirohi
        Commissioner, Higher Education 
        Government of Madhya Pradesh.
        
        18.  Dr. N. K. Patole
        Director of Higher Education
        Government of Maharashtra.
        
        19.  Shri Lalawia
        Director, Higher & Technical Education 
        Government of Mizoram.
        
        20.  Dr. L. K. Das
        Director, Higher Education
        Government of Orissa.
        
        21.  Dr. Ujagar Singh Banga
        Director of Public Instruction (Colleges) 
        Government of Punjab.
        
        22.  Smt.  A. K. Ahuja
        Secretary, Education
        Government of Rajasthan.

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