The new education policy, mulled over by the United Progressive Alliance government (UPA), could have an adverse effect on the State's educational sector, said P. Raghunath, general secretary of the All Kerala Private College Teachers' Association (AKPCTA). He was addressing a press meet here on Wednesday, held to announce the 52nd State conference of AKPCTA to be held at the Mammen Mappillai Hall here from June 18 to June 20.
He said that the recent decision of the Central government to introduce an Educational Bill to form the National Commission for Higher Education was intended to increase social justice and quality by creating an educational autonomy. “However, provisions in the Bill do not work towards attaining these goals. Autonomy that does not assure social commitment is absurd,” said Mr. Raghunath. As the new law comes into effect, regulation of fees would become impossible, he said.
He also alleged that the new Bill, which would make accreditation mandatory for higher educational institutions, was prepared in such a way to protect the interests of the National Knowledge Commission. “The decision of the Central government to allow foreign universities to begin off-campus centres in the country would not just undermine the quality of higher education, but also lead to a monopoly in the sector,” said Mr. Raghunath.
V.N. Vasavan, MLA, remarked that the present Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has created an atmosphere that is conducive to improvement in the educational sector. “There has been a marked improvement in the quality of education imparted in the State. This has reflected in the performance of students,” he said.
As part of the conference, the State council of the association will discuss the problems faced by the educational sector in the State on Friday. Justice K.T. Thomas will inaugurate a seminar on the problems faced by higher education. Education Minister M.A. Baby will inaugurate the proceedings on Saturday. Mahatma Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Rajan Gurukkal will deliver the keynote address. This will be followed by a women's cultural conference to be inaugurated by former Finance Minister T. Sivadasa Menon. Planning Board member C.P. Narayanan will inaugurate the proceedings on the concluding day.
