New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI): A parliamentary panel has expressed concerns that the proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), designed to replace various regulatory bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), could potentially lead to the closure of institutions in rural areas and foster privatization in higher education.
The Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijay Singh, highlighted the potential risks of the new regulatory structure, which is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The committee has called for a more simplified hierarchy of regulatory bodies, arguing that this would be more effective in addressing the needs of the diverse higher education landscape across the country.
In its report, presented to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the committee emphasized that while the idea of a unified regulatory body is appealing, it could inadvertently disadvantage rural institutions that are already grappling with infrastructure and faculty shortages. These institutions, many of which are state-run, may face heightened risks of closure if they fail to meet the stringent standards set by a centralised body, the report cautioned.
The panel's findings were based on a review of various aspects of higher education, including standards, accreditation processes, research, and examination reforms. It specifically addressed the proposed Higher Education Commission of India Bill, which aims to centralize authority over degree-awarding powers and the closure of non-compliant institutions.
The Committee's Key Recommendations
The HECI proposal has been discussed since 2018, when a draft bill was introduced for public consultation. After renewed efforts by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in 2021, the government has pushed forward with the HECI framework as part of its broader goal to overhaul India's higher education regulatory system.
NEP’s Vision for a Unified Regulator
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a streamlined regulatory structure to revitalize the higher education sector. The policy stresses that the existing system is outdated and inconsistent, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties for institutions, particularly those at the state level. The NEP aims for the creation of a single body that would handle regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standards—though critics, including the parliamentary panel, argue that its implementation must be done in a way that ensures regional representation and addresses local needs effectively.
As the debate over the HECI continues, the education sector awaits clarity on how the new regulatory body will be structured and whether its design will align with the diverse needs of institutions across the country.
The Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijay Singh, highlighted the potential risks of the new regulatory structure, which is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The committee has called for a more simplified hierarchy of regulatory bodies, arguing that this would be more effective in addressing the needs of the diverse higher education landscape across the country.
In its report, presented to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the committee emphasized that while the idea of a unified regulatory body is appealing, it could inadvertently disadvantage rural institutions that are already grappling with infrastructure and faculty shortages. These institutions, many of which are state-run, may face heightened risks of closure if they fail to meet the stringent standards set by a centralised body, the report cautioned.
The panel's findings were based on a review of various aspects of higher education, including standards, accreditation processes, research, and examination reforms. It specifically addressed the proposed Higher Education Commission of India Bill, which aims to centralize authority over degree-awarding powers and the closure of non-compliant institutions.
The Committee's Key Recommendations
- Simplified Regulatory Structure: The committee recommended a more straightforward and balanced hierarchy for regulating higher education in India. This would ensure that no one body holds excessive power, particularly at the central level, which could sideline the interests of state universities that educate over 90% of India’s student population.
- State Representation: The committee urged that any unified regulatory body, such as the HECI, must provide adequate representation for all states to prevent excessive centralization of control, which could undermine the local autonomy of state-run institutions.
- Avoiding Privatization: The committee raised concerns that the proposed HECI Bill, by giving the central government more authority to close failing institutions, could lead to increased privatization, especially in rural areas where public institutions may struggle to meet the proposed standards. This could further deepen the divide between urban and rural education access.
The HECI proposal has been discussed since 2018, when a draft bill was introduced for public consultation. After renewed efforts by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in 2021, the government has pushed forward with the HECI framework as part of its broader goal to overhaul India's higher education regulatory system.
NEP’s Vision for a Unified Regulator
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a streamlined regulatory structure to revitalize the higher education sector. The policy stresses that the existing system is outdated and inconsistent, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties for institutions, particularly those at the state level. The NEP aims for the creation of a single body that would handle regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standards—though critics, including the parliamentary panel, argue that its implementation must be done in a way that ensures regional representation and addresses local needs effectively.
As the debate over the HECI continues, the education sector awaits clarity on how the new regulatory body will be structured and whether its design will align with the diverse needs of institutions across the country.
