Centre moves bill to centralise regulation of higher education

New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha which in effect seeks to put the authority on the entire gamut of the country's higher education in the hands of a centralised regulatory body.

The bill named, Viksit Bharat Sikhsha Adhishthan Bill 2525 purports to set the stage for a major overhaul of India's higher education regulatory framework.

The proposed legislation provides for a Higher Education Board aimed at centralising regulation in the sector and restructuring the existing system by consolidating multiple regulatory councils under a single commission.

As the bill was introduced, the Opposition promptly came up with sharp resistance arguing that it aims at grabbing excessive power by the Centre.

Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the move, arguing that the proposed legislation gives the Centre excessive authority in shaping education policy, thereby eroding the powers of state governments and higher education institutions.

"It also interferes in administrative matters of institutions, robbing them of their independence in day-to-day affairs and appointments," Tewari said while objecting to the Bill's introduction.

Several other opposition MPs joined the resistance to the bill raising similar concerns and demanded that the legislation be withdrawn from the Lok Sabha.

Following the objections, the Bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny.

The proposed legislation lays out an ambitious plan to create a unified framework for regulation, accreditation and standard-setting in higher education.

It emphasises outcome-based education and in line with the philosophy of the BJP government, aims at 'integration of 'Bharatiya' knowledge systems', claiming it to be aligned with the government's broader vision of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

The commission to be established as laid down the bill, will facilitate universities and other higher educational institutions "to become independent self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy."

Under the proposed structure, the Commission will function through three distinct wings: a Regulatory Council, an Accreditation Council and a Standards Council. The 12-member commission will include the presidents of these three councils, the Union higher education secretary, two eminent and distinguished academicians not below the rank of professor from state higher educational institutions, five eminent experts, and a member secretary.

Constitution of the regulatory Commission

Appointments to the Commission will be made exclusively by the Centre through a three-member search panel apparently with little room for any quarter other than the Union government to interfere with or influence it.

The Bill provides legal protection to office-bearers and employees of the Commission and its councils.

The bill also contains provisions to penalise non-compliance indicating that the Centre plans to implement with an iron hand. For the legislation proposes that educational institutions found violating provisions of the new law and failing to rectify shortcomings may face fines ranging from a minimum of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. In cases of repeated offences, higher educational institutions could be fined at least Rs 75 lakh or face suspension.

According to the Bill, the Commission will offer "high-level strategic direction for comprehensive and holistic growth of higher education and research in a competitive global environment."

It will also work to "develop a roadmap for transforming higher educational institutions into large multi-disciplinary education and research institutions" and to "develop a roadmap for promoting India as an education destination."

(With inputs from IANS)