Modi government to replace UGC with Higher Education Commission
In a drastic overhaul, the Narendra Modi government has announced repeal of the UGC and fresh legislation to create a new Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). The HECI Act 2018 will discuss the functioning of the body, which will primarily include setting up academic standards and ensuring their implementation. The bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the upcoming session.
Why is the UGC being replaced?
The UGC has faced criticism for lethargy and inaction. In many cases, it isn't even empowered enough: it can only name bogus institutions, but cannot take any action. Moreover, it remains preoccupied with disbursing grants to institutes, and thus cannot pay adequate attention to other key areas, an HRD official said. A single regulator was being planned, but the idea was dropped in May.
How will the new body help?
The HECI will now focus on promoting quality of education, maintenance of academic standards, specifying learning outcomes, and overseeing teaching and assessment standards, among others. Unlike UGC, HECI will not deal in grants, which will be supervised by the ministry. It will also be empowered to order closure of institutes and imposition of fines and prison sentences in case of violation of laws.
Constitution of the body
The HECI will have a total of 14 members. Apart from the chairperson and the vice-chairperson, it will include the secretaries of the higher education, skill development, entrepreneurship and science and technology departments, plus the AICTE and NCTE chairpersons and two serving university vice-chancellors.
The new legislation brings the 'end of inspection raj'
Till now, the UGC, AICTE and NCTE have been functioning under the ministry. This new legislation brings the "end of inspection raj," the government said. The purpose, an official said, is to downsize the scope of regulation with "no interference in the management issues of the educational institutions." Both the AICTE and NCTE Acts will be revised to fall in line with the HECI Act.
Draft HECI Act to be uploaded today for public feedback
The HRD Ministry will upload the draft Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act) Act 2018 on its website today, post which the public can provide feedback till 5 pm on July 7. The final version will be published after that.
