Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb told the Assembly on Tuesday that the autonomy for colleges would be limited to academic matters.
Replying to the University Laws (Third Amendment) Bill, the Minister said that concerns about the misuse of the freedoms were misplaced. The colleges could not go beyond the directives of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the university concerned and the government. If they do, autonomy could be withdrawn.
Mr. Rabb said that the government had recommended autonomy for 11 aided colleges and two government colleges to the UGC. The selection was made by the Autonomy Approval Committee chaired by him, which considered 200 colleges.
He said that the supply of text books for Plus Two courses was delayed because of delay in the tender process for printing the text books.
After the Minister’s reply, the Bill was referred to the Subject Committee.
The Bill seeks to replace an ordinance issued by the government to incorporate provisions in the university laws for establishment of autonomous colleges.
The Bill proposes that each college becoming autonomous should have an academic council, board of studies and governing council as authorities of the autonomous college. The governing council will have powers to conduct examinations, approve issue of mark lists and fix fees and other charges. The degree or diploma is to be awarded by the university concerned on recommendation of the council.
The academic council will make regulations for admissions, conduct of examinations, research and other matters. The main duties of board of studies will be to prepare the curriculum and suggest methodologies for innovative teaching and evaluation.
