Why in News
The Parliament Standing Committee on Education, headed by MP Vivek Thakur, tabled a report during the special session of Parliament on the “Implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 in Higher Education.”
What’s in the report
The report looked at the features of the NEP’s implementation in the higher education sector and the progress made so far.
The report noted that of the 1,043 universities functioning in the country.
70% are under the State Act
94% of students are in State or private institutions
6% of students in Central educational institutions, stressing the importance of States in providing higher education.
Key Issues in NEP
Limited access to higher education in socio-economically disadvantaged areas.
Rigid separation of disciplines.
Lack of higher education institutes (HEIs) that teach in local languages.
The limited number of experienced faculty.
Lack of institutional autonomy.
Regulatory system and low standards of undergraduate education.
Recommendation for NEP
Panel recommends to earmark the suitable funds for the education of Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).
Enhancing gender balance in admissions to HEIs.
Providing more financial assistance and scholarships to SEDGs in both public and private HEIs.
Increasing employability potential of higher education programmes.
Developing more degree courses taught in regional languages and bilingually.
Specific infrastructural steps to help physically challenged students.
Strict enforcement of all no-discrimination and anti-harassment rules.
Funding Suggestions
Panel asked Higher Education Funding Agency(HEFA) to diversify its funding sources beyond government allocations.
Explore partnerships with private sector organisations, philanthropic foundations, and international financial institutions.
Adjusting the interest rates on loans provided to make them more competitive and affordable.
Concerns about the MEME system
Indian institutions are currently facing many issues in multiple entry are multiple exit(MEME).
MEME should be more flexible as western institutions.
Its very difficult to predict how students will make use of MEME.
Since institutions would not know the in- and out-traffic, it will certainly disturb the pupil-teacher ratio.
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