The Indian Government has recently showcased plans to replace the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) with a new programme named MERITE Project. This step is part of a broader initiative to enhance the quality and accessibility of technical education in the country.
Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP)
Launched in 2002, TEQIP was an initiative by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development in collaboration with the World Bank. The programme’s primary objective is to elevate the quality of technical education and build the capacities of existing institutions. To achieve this, TEQIP operates in phases, each targeting specific areas of improvement in technical education.
The third phase of the programme, TEQIP-III, initiated in 2017 and set to complete by 2021, focuses on developing technical education as a vital component to enhance the quality of Engineering Education. The aim is to improve quality and equity in engineering institutions in focus states, particularly low-income states.
The Proposed MERITE Project
The MERITE Project is being considered as a successor to TEQIP, sharing similar objectives of improving the quality of technical education. However, the project is still in the conceptual stage, and is pending Cabinet approval before it can be officially launched and implemented.
Other Government Initiatives for Improving Technical Education
In addition to TEQIP and the proposed MERITE Project, the government has introduced other schemes to bolster the quality and reach of technical education. These include:
1. Margadarshan and Margadarshak: This initiative is supported by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
2. Institutions of Eminence (IoE) scheme: The IoE scheme aims to ensure the global competitiveness of Indian higher education and promote the domestic ranking of institutions.
3. Technical Education in Mother Tongue: Proposed by the National Education Policy (NEP), this initiative aims to enable students to pursue professional courses such as medicine, engineering, and law in their mother tongue. The policy recommends teaching in regional language till class 8 and encouraging curriculum instruction in a language that the student is comfortable with.
4. Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY) schemes: These schemes encourage innovation in technology and foster a culture of research within tech-based education.
Such initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to transforming technical education in the country and ensuring its relevance and accessibility for all students, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds or linguistic capabilities.