‘UGC draft rules (on picking V-Cs etc) are dictatorial… destroys federalism’: Tamil Nadu Education Minister

Why is Tamil Nadu opposed to the UGC’s draft regulations for appointment of leaders in higher education?

Tamil Nadu ranks first in India in higher education. Its steps such as reservation for rural students, government spending for education of first generation graduates, banning of entrance examinations — all these contributed to Tamil Nadu’s good performance in higher education. It was not some magic which happened overnight. The new UGC guidelines is an affront to the strides that Tamil Nadu has made in the education field. The UGC…it is true that we have to abide by their rules, it is the duty of the state to abide by its rules and laws… but to impose it is wrong.

What are the points in the draft regulations that you find contentious?

The UGC says it will give an additional member to the already existing three-member committee to select a Vice-Chancellor and that this member will be nominated by the Chancellor or the Governor. The Tamil Nadu government knows it is a stumbling block. The UGC wants to vest more powers with the Governor.

On the other hand, the UGC has proposed entrance exams to even study BA, BSc, BCom, or MA, MSc, MCom courses. These steps are equal to breaking the infrastructure of a state that has a proper set-up in place. The Tamil Nadu syllabus under the leadership of our Chief Minister will improve higher education, but UGC’s rules or policies will be against our students who study as per state syllabus. This is a dictatorial imposition, against democracy, which destroys federalism. So Tamil Nadu condemns and opposes it.

But there are those who say the state is opposing the UGC move because it is ruled by an Opposition party (DMK).

We are not against it (UGC regulations) for the sake of opposing it. We go by the comments and feedback of experts in this field and have passed a resolution in the state Assembly against the imposition of new rules by the UGC.

How different is Tamil Nadu’s education system from the rest of the country?

As far as higher education is concerned, the state’s present syllabus is strong and takes students in the right direction. For that reason, universities like Anna University are doing well. By higher education we don’t mean only arts and science or engineering. Even in medicine, Tamil Nadu has high standards. That is because the basic educational infrastructure is right.

Is Tamil Nadu against any other policy of the UGC?

If the UGC gives us something better than what we have, we will definitely follow it. But the UGC is imposing rules that are meant to take us back in terms of progress — and issues threats saying it wouldn’t give us UG courses if we don’t abide by it. This is dictatorial. Even in Assembly, all parties except the BJP helped passed the resolution against the draft notification. BJP walked out. This gives room to doubts that UGC is under the BJP.

Why is Tamil Nadu against the Governor’s role in higher education?

In Tamil Nadu, the government does everything for appointment of V-Cs including appointing a committee for it. But the Governor doesn’t approve them. Today, there’s a situation where several universities do not have V-Cs. The Governor poses a hurdle. That is why we are in consultation with experts including legal experts to see what can be done. We are planning to take action and act upon their advice. But there is a fear among students, educationists and parents that this trend, if continued, will affect the education scene in the state. The Central government should rectify this.

The resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly exhorts the Centre to withdraw it (UGC regulations) when it’s still a draft proposal. If not, this will turn into a people’s protest. We will even pursue a legal route against it to safeguard our policy.