Foreign University Bill likely to be tabled in next session: HRD Minister

Even though it was listed during the budget, the Left did not allow the Bill be to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, saying it did not do justice to the principles of equity, access, relevance and excellence. According to HRD Ministry sources, the Bill will address most of the Left’s fears, including regulation of foreign universities and enforcing Indian rules like reservation.

Singh also added that the Right to Education Bill is also likely to come through in the next Parliament session, saying that the states and Centre would cooperate in the implementation of the massive targets for the education sector under 11th Plan period. “We have been able to pinpoint issues and agreements have been reached with them. States have assured they will take part in all our efforts towards achievement of expenditure of 6 per cent of GDP on education,” the minister said.

Regarding the proliferation of fake institutes, he asserted that a drive to crack down on them would now gain strength with states coming on board with the Ministry. “If rules are followed correctly, many such bogus institutes will go. Some laws, notably the AICTE Act, will need to be amended to strengthen rules and we will try to take them to the Parliament for approval soon. Heavy fines are also proposed against such institutes that have poisoned the very fountainhead of education,” added the minister.

On the issue of expanding IITs and the consequent faculty crunch, all the minister said was that, to start with, the older IITs’ faculty members would handle the seven new IITs opened this year and gradually these would build their own faculties. On the IIT Delhi controversy regarding denial of admission to some SC/ST students, the minister said it was “very unfortunate” but that “IITs are getting sensitised to these issues. I am sure gradually things will get better.”