The Rs.110-crore sanctioned by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to the Kerala State Higher Education Council under the Rashtriya Uchathar Sisksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is yet to reach the council, its vice chairman T. P. Sreenivasan has said.
The council was to have been given an initial 10 per cent of this Rs.110 crore. Even that had not been done, he said here on Tuesday. Mr. Sreenivasan was briefing presspersons after a meeting of the council’s governing body earlier in the day.
The governing body discussed, among other things, the report on private universities prepared by the council. Education Minister P. K. Abdu Rabb reiterated his stand that he was personally opposed to the idea of a private university in Kerala.
Further discussions
All the same, the idea of a private university would be discussed by the UDF and by all concerned before a decision on the matter was taken, Mr. Sreenivasan quoted the Minister as saying. Even though there was general appreciation for the idea of a private university, some members of the general council expressed concern that the setting up of private universities could pave the way for corruption and commercialisation in the higher education sector, he said.
The general council discussed the recently-submitted report on gender justice on campuses; the council reiterated the need for ending sexual harassment and discrimination on campuses. Some Vice Chancellors were of the view that the conclusions and observations in the report were grossly exaggerated. However, the observations in the report reflected what came to the attention of the committee that probed gender justice in campuses, he said.
Committee convener Sheena Shukkur told the press conference that one point that came up for discussion was the different hostel timing for boys and girls. While boys were free to remain out of hostels till 9 p.m., girls were supposed to report back by 7 p.m. daily. The committee on gender justice felt this was blatant discrimination and that this provision should be done away with.
However, VCs, who took part in the meeting, pointed out that parents were of the view that the security of their girl children was more important than preserving gender equality, Ms. Shukkur said.
