Context:The National Education Policy (NEP) announced has opened a small window for the long-awaited reforms in the university sector.
Reforms needed in university education:
The change in nomenclature: From ‘Human resource ministry’ to a robust ‘Ministry of Education’ for the small new beginning.
It can also be clubbed with ‘culture’ to promote our vast traditional knowledge systems.
Focus on Indian ethos: For transforming India sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing high-quality education to all.
It requires:
Restructuring of the entire educational architecture.
Reaching out to outstanding scholars to seek their services to leading universities.
Attitudinal change towards education: Society needs to sacrifice old habits such as proverbial neglect and fossilized attitudes.
It needs to place knowledge upfront rather than money, position or power.
Effective implementation: There is a need for an inbuilt mechanism for a periodic review of the NEP.
Light but tight regulatory mechanism: The proposed four-layered structure of regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard-setting will need to have a clear demarcation of responsibilities.
University Excellence Commission: Proposed Higher Education Commissionneeds to be graced with the futuristic nomenclature of University Excellence Commission of India to promote a ‘culture of excellence’.
Reaching out to the best talent: Every genuine teacher needs to be valued, respected, and entrusted with responsibilities to lead the universities.
Providing competent leaders through the rigorous, impartial, and competency-based process to the universities.
Need to have a provision to promptly jettison incompetent persons and prosecute them, if proved guilty.
Dynamic political leadership: The Prime Minister needs to give education top priority by handling the education portfolio for himself.