'New Higher Education Policy should be Implementable by all States'

05 Jan, 2016

Federation of Government College Teachers’ Associations, Manipur (FEGOCTA) extends New Year Greetings to all the stakeholders of the higher education. FEGOCTA demands that Government of Manipur implement UGC Regulations 2010 including much delayed notification for API based on PBAS methodology for CAS promotion and release of SCA and TA.

UGC and Manipur University have been requested by FEGOCTA to allocate supervisors to the college teachers in tune with UGC Regulations 2010. It submitted suggestions on New Higher Education Policy to Prime Minister, Union HRD Minister, UGC, Education Minister etc. The suggestions are based on the National Seminar on “Transforming Higher Education in North East India” organized by Thoubal College in collaboration with Y.K. College and FEGOCTA. The new higher education policy should have no room for distortion and be implementable by state governments.

Higher Education Policy should be relevant to the society for socio-economic development and national integration by removing the regional disparities. It should focus on innovation and new skills by enhancing capabilities of the students and teachers. Global competitiveness and recognizing culture, history and diversities of India and moral values have been emphasized.

On governance reforms, autonomy, academic freedom and granting statutory status of State Higher Education Council and State Higher Education Service in all the states are crucial. Only the qualified and capable academicians should head the government educational bodies. Budgetary increase and flexibility in the internal resource mobilization and inbuilt mechanisms for transparency and accountability should be part of financial reforms.

For removing regional disparities, specific policies for North East India considering the hill terrains, financial constraints, armed conflict situation, ethnic and linguistic diversities are essential. For bringing up to national standards 100% funding by the central government for North East for national higher education schemes and funding by DONER and NEC for higher education are required.

These can ensure adequate modern infrastructure and facilities in the higher educational institutions in the region. Professional, medical, engineering, technical, vocational and other higher educational institutes should be established in the region. Exchange programs and linkages between the North East with best in India and world should be created.

Residential colleges, universities and national institutes in the hilly/rural areas of the region with special central financial assistance should be established. More central government Scholarships and other support to the students belonging to disadvantaged groups of the North East are required. Some incentives to those teachers posted in the rural/hill areas in the region to achieve the goals of national higher education. For bridging the gender gaps, representation of women teachers in the academic decision making bodies, special schemes and support to the girls/females and inclusion of gender issues in the courses and curriculum are required.

The new education policy should focus on vocational and job/skill oriented courses for employment and economic development. Curriculum and syllabus need to match global standards and in tune with new research findings. History, culture, identity and diversity of India and North East should be in the curriculum and syllabus for inclusive education and emotional integration. Inclusion of traditional knowledge, environment, moral values etc is required.