The Indian Government is in the process of revising a draft bill that aims to establish the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), an institution dedicated to managing and enhancing education at the college and university level. The revamped draft will align with the country’s National Education Policy.
The Draft Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2018 Explained
This bill, introduced in 2018, positions itself as the “Draft Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act) Bill, 2018”. Unfortunately, its finalisation did not occur, and within two years, the National Education Policy 2020 was announced.
The bill seeks to replace the University Grants Commission Act from 1956 with the formation of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). Key responsibilities of the HECI will include maintaining academic standards in higher education, specifying learning outcomes for courses and eligibility criteria for Vice Chancellors, and ordering the closure of institutions failing to meet minimum standards. Moreover, any institution intending to award degrees or diplomas must seek permission from the HECI, which also has the power to revoke such permissions.
Scope of the Draft Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2018
The Bill extends its jurisdiction to ‘higher educational institutions,’ encompassing universities formed through Acts of Parliament or state legislatures, institutions considered a university, and colleges. However, it excludes institutions of national importance.
Challenges Encountered in the 2018’s Bill
Various issues emerged in the previous iteration of the bill. While it aimed to promote institutional autonomy, certain provisions arguably granted the HECI excessive regulatory control. Furthermore, the bill brought only legal and architectural education under the HECI’s purview, leaving other professional fields outside its regulatory scope. The discontinuation of UGC’s power to allocate grants raised questions about the HECI’s role in grant disbursal. The bill also risked compromising HECI’s independence by requiring it to implement recommendations from an Advisory Council.
Key Functions of the HECI
The HECI has several critical functions, including promoting institutional autonomy, ensuring academic standards, defining learning outcomes, setting teaching and research standards, and implementing evaluation procedures. It also has the authority to shut down institutions. Moreover, the HECI is responsible for granting authorisation to institutions to begin academic operations, awarding degrees or diplomas, managing affiliations, allotting autonomy, determining Vice Chancellor eligibility criteria, managing institution setup and closure, and regulating fees.
The Significance of the National Education Policy, 2020
This policy acknowledges the importance of the formative years (ages 3-8) in shaping a child’s future through its 5+3+3+4 model. It encourages a departure from silo thinking by removing the strict division of arts, commerce, and science streams in high school. The policy pushes for a more inclusive education system by proposing the extension of the Right to Education to all children up to the age of 18. It also opens doors for foreign universities in the top 100 to establish campuses in India. Furthermore, it promotes teaching in the mother tongue, local language, or regional language at least until Grade 5.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024