Arjun past,HRD sees a reform future

Even as speculation was on over who would head the Human Resources Development Ministry in the new UPA Government...

Even as speculation was on over who would head the Human Resources Development Ministry in the new UPA Government,steps were already in place for a course correction in education. A blueprint has been evolved at the highest levels of decision-making to initiate major reforms in the education sector.

From allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India to a national-level entrance test for university admissions,an employability test at graduation with industry collaboration,no reservations for faculty appointments,a single independent regulator at arms length from players in higher education,and a legislation on the Public Private Partnership PPP mode for education,are part of the mega-reform plan for this key ministry.

The blueprint also keeps in mind views of academics,NRIs and other stakeholders.

While HRD is one of the key interest areas of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he established the National Knowledge Commission in his previous term to help develop India as a knowledge society former minister Arjun Singh blocked major reforms with his old school mindset.

Under the new HRD Minister,Kapil Sibal,it is expected that there will be a major policy shift in the education sector over the next five years. And the blueprint for reforms may be the first step in this direction. Sibal has already said the Foreign Education Providers Bill is a priority and acceptable recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission NKC would be implemented.

Borrowing heavily from the NKC,headed by Sam Pitroda,and the Prof Yashpal-led Committee on Higher Education,one of the blueprints aims is to not only hasten the reform process but also undo the Arjun Singh regimes interference in institutions and key appointments.

Among the reforms stonewalled by Arjun Singh were opening up of the education sector to foreign universities,with a fresh legislation to keep away fly-by-night operators; allowing institutes to hike fees to meet 20 per cent of their revenue; legislation-backed Public Private Partnership PPP in education; lowering of entry barriers for new institutions; better quality assurance; and consumer protection.

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In addition,the new roadmap is considering a proposal to keep faculty appointments free of reservations. Arjun Singh had ordered implementation of the reservation policy in IIT faculty appointments,leading to requests by IIT directors to the Prime Minister not to allow the same.

The reform blueprint also proposes a tiered educational framework,comprising research- and teaching-focused institutions like IITs and IIMs,central universities,purely teaching-focused institutions,community-focused institutions,and employment-skill-focused institutions. Aiming at integration of research and teaching,the reform blueprint has advocated that Council of Scientific and Industrial Research laboratories be convered to full-fledged varsities,or combined with varsities.

The other reforms on the agenda are setting up of a single,independent regulator at arms length from players; ensuring institutions are run by independent and fully empowered boards with government,faculty,alumni,donors/industry as constituents; financial self-sufficiency of institutes, with adequate scholarships for economically weaker sections; multiple independent accreditation agencies for quality assurance; greater academic and administrative autonomy for institutions; and creating a stimulating ecosystem to attract and retain talented faculty through a performance-based reward structure.