Education Minister bats for positive approach towards college autonomy scheme
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, June 29 2018:
A two day National seminar on 'An Autonomous College: Problems & Prospect' kick started today at Imphal College.
Education Minister Thokchom Radheshyam urged the gathering to have a positive approach towards the College Autonomy Scheme.
He stressed that there are hundreds of higher educational institutions in the country and the Government has been trying to make these institutions self sustaining institutes.
The Minister maintained that the time maybe right for the Government's proposal for the scheme to make colleges an autonomous body.
He highlighted that he was informed that the scheme is mainly for the administration and funding and added that exception to the rule is always there.
Radheshyam expressed hope that the four sessions of the two day National Seminar to find concrete solutions to address the concerns, expectations and problems on the autonomy of educational institutions.
Further, he added that the weaknesses and strengths of the scheme should also be analysed and if there is any negation than amendment of the scheme can be proposed, for reformation and review.
He said that the proposal for the change in the system is to bring a qualitative transformation in the education sector.
Private institutions are doing well even at the school level and they are autonomous body, he said.
He appealed to give a try to the scheme and follow it, if it yields a positive result and if not, can be reviewed again.
The Minister emphasized on the need to establish an institute that could be the centre for excellence to make appealing to those children who choose foreign institutes over the institutions in the country.
This, he said, can stop the wealth drain to foreign countries.
The National' Policy On Education (1986-92) formulated certain objectives for autonomous colleges as such determine and prescribe its own courses of study and syllabi, and restructure and redesign the courses to suit local needs, make it skill oriented and in consonance with the job requirements; prescribe rules for admission in consonance with the reservation policy of the State Government/National policy; promote research in relevant fields; evolve methods of assessment of students performance, conduct of examinations and notification of results; use modern tools of educational technology to achieve higher standards and greater creativity and promote healthy practices such as community service, extension activities, projects for the benefit of the society, neighbourhood programmes etc.
The College once granted autonomous status will have the privilege to constitute their own governing body, Academic Council and Board of Studies to formulate new courses within the nomenclature specified by UGC as per the Specification of Degrees 2014 and amend from time to time.
That college will constitute their own Finance Committee and have complete administrative autonomy and have the privilege of appointing their own administrative staff and teaching faculty including Principal.
It can fix fees of the courses at their own level too.
The inaugural function of the seminar was attended by resource persons from both outside and inside the State, delegates from different part of the country, Principal of different colleges, Professors and students.
He also inaugurated a two wheeler vehicle
of the college.
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