 HIGHER EDUCATION

The major thrust of the National Police on Education-1986 is on consolidation of the facilities in the existing institution, improvements in their efficiency, re-designing and re-structuring of course and programmes, and establishment and development of mechanisms that will promote coordination and bring about greater effectiveness in the functioning of institutions of higher education and improvement in their standards.

The policy also visualises certain major innovative programmes like development of open university/distance learning system, establishment and development of institutions for rural higher education and establishment of a National Testing Service with a view to delinking university degrees from jobs.

The progress of implementation of the major programmes in higher education is indicated below:

6.1 Indira Gandhi National Open University

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) which started functioning from 20th September, 1985 is at present running the following academic programmes, with enrolment indicated against each:

- B.A,B.Com., course with an enrolment of 14,679;

- three modules of diploma programmes in management with an enrolment of 6,045;

- other diploma programmes in distance education creative writing, etc., with an enrolment of 3,174;

- certificate courses in rural development and food & nutrition with an enrolment of 3,174;

- special preparatory programmes for students who have not done higher secondary education for admission to B.A., B.COM., course (The first programme with over 9000 students was completed in June, 1988. Over 40,000 students are to appear in an entrance test for the second batch).

Following academic programmes are in the pipelines: - Bachelor's degree in Library & Information Science and a Science degree course. (These are likely to commence in early 1989);

- Diploma course in computer education and rural development;

- Diploma programme in higher education for university teachers;

- Special programme for women and tribal population (pre school education, child psychology and counselling, dietetics to be started in 1989).

Instructional System and Student Support Services

The delivery system of the University consists of multimedia packages involving printed material, audio and video materials at the Study Centres and programmes of advising and counselling for students.

110 Study Centres have been set up so far. An additional 50 Centres are planned during 1989-90.

Ten Regional Centres for coordinating and supervising the working of Study Centre are functioning at Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kota, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Madras, Shillong and Delhi.

Infrastructural Development

100 acres of land has been acquired in South Delhi. Architectural design, plans,estimates etc., are under preparation. Construction of temporary structure for office has started. 50 flats in Asiad Village have been acquired for staff residences.

6.2 Establishment of a Central University in Assam

Project report and draft legislation for establishment of a Central University in Assam have been finlised. It is proposed to locate the University in the Cachar District of Assam. The proposal is being submitted to the Cabinet for optaining decision on estabilishments of the University, its location, introduction of legislation, etc.

6.3 Central University in Nagaland

Establishment of a Central University in Nagaland was approved, in principal, in September,1987. In October,1987 foundation stone of the University was laid by Prime Minister at Lumami. Project Report and draft legislation for the University have also been prepared. Minister for HRD is to discuss on 20.12.88 with Chairman, NEC, Chairman, UGC, and others the possibility of developing different Universities in the region with identified areas of specialisation or thrust. The matter will be bought up before the Cabinet thereafter.

6.4 Rural Institutes/Universities

The National Policy on Education, 1986 visualises establishment of Rural Institutes/Universities on the lines of Gandhiji's revolutionary ideas on education.

A detailed project report and draft note for the Cabinet proposing setting up of a Central Council of Rural Institutes (CCRT) for the development of new pattern of rural institutes and basic education have been prepared.

Draft note for the Cabinet had been circulated to concerned Ministries and the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission have agreed, in principle, to the proposal for establishment of CCRI. The Department of Agricultural Research and Education have expressed the view that the proposed Rural Institutes would duplicate the efforts of Agricultural Universities, which have similar objective and that the proposal to establish composite Institutes will not be practicable.

The matter is being pursued with that department to sort out the issue.

6.5 National Testing Service

A detailed Project Report for the establishment of a National Testing Service (NTS) has been prepared. The proposal has also been approved by Cabinet, in principle.

A draft memorandum of association and rules for registering the NTS as a society have been finalised. The NTS will have General Council and a Board of Management. It will also have a Chairman and Director. The names of persons to be appointed on these bodies as well as to the posts of Chairman and Director are being finalised. Thereafter, the NTS will be registered as a Society and will become operational.

NTS will conduct tests on a voluntary basis to certify the proficiency of candidates for specified jobs which do not require a degree or diploma. The NTS may also make available its expertise and capabilities to existing institutions and agencies for holding tests on their behalf for admission to higher course. The NTS will offer its services in due course to various recruiting agencies who wish to conduct recruitment tests. It will also function as a resource centre in test development.

6.6 National Council for Higher Education

After a series of consultations with concerned Ministries and agencies, a draft note for the Cabinet had been prepared and circulated to Ministers of Agriculture, Health, Science and Technology, Finance, Planning Commission,etc. The proposal envisages the setting up of a National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to oversee the development of Higher Education in all fields, coordinates policies and programmes among the existing agencies involved in the development of higher education in various fields, etc.

The Council will comprise of 20 members with the Prime Minister as its Chairman. It will also have a 10-members Executive Board headed by Minister of HRD, and a coordinating committee consisting of the representatives of the participating Ministries/organisations.

The existing agencies like the UGC, ICAR, AICTE, MCI, etc. will continue to perform their assigned functions while the NCHE will perform an overall coordinating role.

While the Ministries of Agriculture etc. have concurred in the proposal, the Planning Commission have expressed certain reservations. According to the Commission, setting up of NCHE need not be a high priority programme, the scope of NCHE is likely to go beyond mere cordination and it may not be able to deal effectively with various statutory bodies, like UGC, AICTE, MCI,etc. and that the multiplicity of agencies in higher education may hamper growth. The matter is being sorted out with the Planning Commission.

6.7 University Grants Commission

The progress of action taken by University Grants Commission for implementation of NPE is as follows:

Consolidation of Institutions

New guidelines for University and Colleges for the Seventh Plan period were formulated in the light of NPE, emphasising consolidation of existing facilities, improvement of standards and quality of education. These guideliines had been widely circulated. The proposals of all eligible university for Seventh Plan development grants have been finalised and necessary approvals communicated. Basic grants have been given to 2683 colleges and development grants given to 1716 under-graduate colleges, 114 single faculty colleges and 119 PG colleges.

Special assistance is being provided to universities and colleges to remove obsclescence and to modernise laboratories and libraries, etc.

Affiliation of New Colleges

Guidelines have been formulated for granting affiliation to new colleges and circulated to universities and State Governments for their guidence. The guidelines indicate the minimum facilities to be provided while establishing new colleges.

New Management Structure

A committee constituted by the UGC is at work to review the management patterns of various university bodies in the light of the new demands of the university system. The report of the committee is likely to be finalised soon.

Improvement in Efficiency

103 universities have been sanctioned computer facilities. 400 colleges will also be provided computer facilities.

Performance of Educational Institutions

Regulations for the minimum standers of instruction for grants of first degree in respect of admission requirements, duration,teaching days, workload of teachers and examination reforms have been prescribed. A Committee has been constituted for assessing the.

performance of educational institutions. The report of the Committee is awaited.

Autonomous Colleges

Proposals of 68 new colleges have been approaved for grants of autonomy. 76 proposals are under consideration of universities and 16 proposals are pending with the States Governments.

A committee of experts is at work to frame guideline for development of departments/centres as autonomous within the university framework.

Design of Courses

27 Curriculum Development Centres have been set up in December, 1985. These centres have submitted reports in 12 subjects till 30.6.1988.

Revision of Pay-Scales

As a measure for improvement in the quality and standard of teaching and research in universities and colleges, a scheme for improvement of salary and service conditions of university and college teachers has been announced in June, 1987.

Teachers's Training

A scheme for establishment of Academic Staff Colleges for orientation of newly appointed lecturers has been approved. 48 universities have set up such colleges, of which 34 have started functioning. Refresher courses for inservice teachers have also been planned, and 92 university departments have been identified for the purpose.

Recruitment of Teachers

A Committee has been constituted to work out the details for conducting qualifying tests to recruit lecturers.

The report of the Task Force constituted by the Commission to develop a system of performance appraisal of teachers has been finalised and circulated to all Universities and Colleges for implementation. The system is expected to become operational from 1988-89.

Strengthening Research

Modern Computer-based Information Centres have been set up in 3 universities. A Nuclear Science Centre has been registered as a Society on 30.9.1988. in JNY Campus. An Inter-University Centre in Astro-physics and Astronomy has been established at Poona University.

Under its programme of promotion of excellence, more departments are being brought within the fold of Department Research Support,

Department of Special Assistance and Centre of Advanced Study. 93 departments are being assisted under the scheme of Strengthening Infrastructure in Science and Technology.

State Councils of Higher Education

Revised guidelines have been approved by the Commission in January, 1988 for setting up of States Councils of Higher Education, which will plan and coordinate higher education at the State level. These guidelines have been sent to Universities and Central and State Governments for further action. The State Council of Higher Education has since been set up in Andhra Pradesh.

Accreditation and Assessment Council

With the help of an Expert Committee, a report on the development of a mechanism for accreditation and assessment of institutions of higher education for maintaining and raising their quality, has been prepared. The report is presently being discussed among academics.

Media and Educational Technology

TV programmes on higher education are being regularly televised. 4 Educational Media Research Centres and 7 Audio-Visual Research Centres have been set up in universities/colleges for training and production of Tv software. CTV sets are being supplied in phases to about 2000 selected colleges. A perspective plan for the UCC INSAT project is being formulated in which projections will be made of the future INSAT time requirement for higher education. A project for production of non-broadcast mode educational material for under graduate students has been undertaken. 15 subjects have been selected to produce syllabus-oriented video course material. 8 Centres have been identified for production of such video course material.