The State government is firm on bringing in changes to AP Education Act and other Acts relating to various universities to make them more “accountable” and have its say without affecting the institutions’ autonomy.
In effect, it wants to clip the Governor’s powers.
Education Minister Kadiyam Srihari said various Acts and norms of all educational institutions were being studied to make changes that would help us focus on improving the standards.
Academic calendar
Common academic calendar will be released from schools to universities from next year.
A website giving details of the admission procedures and fee structures will also be launched for the benefit of students, he said. With regard to absence of Vice-Chancellors in all Telangana universities, Mr. Srihari said that senior officials have been posted as in charge V-Cs ensuring each heads only one institute each.
The appointment of V-Cs is being looked into from various aspects from finding the right candidates even while sticking to norms. However, official sources attributed delays in V-C appointments to the TS government’s resolve to have a say rather than the Governor calling the shots.
In fact, a new legislation is being readied to clip the Governor’s powers.
“We are an elected government hence, should have a final say in V-Cs appointments.
‘CM keen’
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is quite keen on the changes,” confided official source, pointing out that such a system had existed before 2013.
Since 2013, the Governor has the powers to pick a candidate of his choice from the list submitted by the government’s search committee. The State government now wants to see that the panel suggests just one name so that the Governor will be forced to appoint the same.
New post
Creating a new post of a Chancellor for every university is also being considered as the Governor currently acts as Chancellor for all State varsities.
Once the changes are in place, the government wants to hold Vice-Chancellors responsible for all their actions, including appointments.
A probe into recent questionable actions by a few Vice-Chancellors is already on.
