The Indian Parliamentary Standing Committee recently conducted a comprehensive review of the education standards, the accreditation process, research practices, exam reforms and the overall academic environment in the country’s higher education institutes. The primary findings of this review were alarming, indicating a clear need for reform in various areas.
Key Findings of the Report
The higher education department of the Union Ministry of Education revealed to the committee that only 30% of universities and a mere 20% of colleges are part of the accreditation system. This implies that fewer than 9,000 out of a total of 50,000 colleges have been accredited. The report also highlighted that many deemed universities have begun offering Open Distance Learning courses in an attempt to increase their revenue, thereby undermining quality research work. Additionally, several state universities have been consistently failing in conducting efficient assessments, often plagued with issues like question paper leaks and rampant instances of copying.
Understanding the Accreditation System
Accreditation is a standardized process aimed at establishing minimum benchmarks for quality in education. It is a formal, independent verification method that ensures an institution or program meets established quality standards through testing, inspection or certification. Currently, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous body functioning under the University Grants Commission (UGC), is the primary body responsible for grading institutions based on a range of parameters including teaching-learning, research, and infrastructure. The grades range from A++ to C, with a D grade implying non-accreditation.
International Participation in Accreditation
India is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), a global association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation bodies and other similar entities. Conformity Assessment Bodies have the authority to certify products, processes, services, management systems or personnel. These bodies aim to improve the quality competitiveness of Indian products and services.
Key Recommendations of the Standing Committee
The committee put forth some crucial suggestions for improving the current situation. It proposed an in-depth analysis of issues faced by NAAC and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), both of which recognize courses offered by higher education institutions. The committee also recommended frequent accreditations to avoid score stagnation and complacency among institutions. Suggestions were made for incorporating strict actions, including derecognition, against higher institutions involved in malpractices. Additionally, they also pointed out the need for revamping the norms for starting online courses.
Funding and Recognition of Institutions
The so-called ‘deemed universities’ should be allowed to use the term ‘university’ to maintain uniformity in nomenclature across countries. To encourage more funding, it was suggested that “donations by individuals, alumni, and institutions” should be made 100% tax-deductible.
National Initiatives for Education Sector Improvement
NEP 2020, launched with the aim of making “India a global knowledge superpower”, represents a significant revamp in the country’s education framework. Two other significant initiatives aimed at improving the education sector include Margadarshan, under which well-performing institutions mentor potential institutions, and the Academic Bank of Credit, a digital bank designed to hold the credits earned by a student, thereby facilitating multidisciplinary and holistic education. These measures are expected to revolutionize the academic landscape, making India’s youth future-ready and opening the gates for an AI-driven economy.
