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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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Ensuring quality education
Implementation of schemes not satisfactory
From selling bangles to writing letters
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Ensuring quality education
There is need to pause, introspect and scrutinise education for quality due to various reasons. The enrolment in higher educational institutions (HEIs) has increased from 0.17 million in 1951 to 6.65 million in 1995 to 12 million in 2005. The number of colleges has shot up from 578 in 1951 to 17,625 in 2005, while the number of universities has gone up from 28 to 348 for the respective years. There has been a mushroom growth of higher educational institutions consisting variety of universities (affiliating, unitary, agriculture and fisheries, medical, open and deemed) and colleges (single and multi-faculty traditional colleges, engineering and technology institutes, autonomous colleges and institutes of national importance). The ever-growing exodus of Indian students to foreign countries for quality education and the recent estimate that India needs at least 3,000 more post-secondary institutions with an enrolment capacity of not less than 10,000 students to meet the increasing demand for higher learning make it all the more important to evaluate the concept of quality in the higher education system. To achieve the goal of making quality assurance an ongoing process integral to the functioning of Indian institutions of higher education, the NAAC (National Assessment Accreditation Council) was established as an autonomous organisation by the UGC in September 1994. The NAAC was to ensure that the quality becomes the defining element of higher education. Till March 2007, NAAC has accredited 3,492 Colleges and 140 universities in the country on the basis of several parameters like qualifications of faculty, library and sports facilities, infrastructure, etc. Of the accredited colleges, 245 are in the A range (A++, A+ and A), 1,785 are in the B range (B++, B+ and B) and rest are in the C range (C++, C+ and C). In order to realise the vision of making quality the defining element of HEIs in India, the NAAC has adopted a new methodology to grade the educational institutions. HEIs would be evaluated on the seven-point criteria of curricular aspects, teaching-learning and evaluation, research consultancy and extension, infrastructure and learning, students’ support and progression, governance and leadership and innovative practices. These seven criteria have further 36 key aspects and, in turn, key aspects have 100 indicators. This new methodology of assessment and accreditation shall help to have objective, true and fair analysis of HEIs. It also takes into account the contribution by HEIs to national development, towards global competence, use of technology, teacher-student relationship and quest for excellence. The new grading would be carried out on the basis of the four-point letter grade evaluation system. The final grading will depend on CGPA (cumulative grade point average) of HEIs. Institutions securing CGPA in between 3.01 and 4 will get ‘A’, 2.01 to 3 would get ‘B’ and 1.51 to 2 would get ‘C’ grade showing “very good”, “good” and “satisfactory” performance, respectively. The fourth letter ‘D’ shall represent unaccredited institutions. The NAAC strongly believes that ultimately efficient internal systems of assurance and enhancement alone can sustain the quality. That is why it has made compulsory to establish internal quality assurance cells (IQACs) for getting accreditation and reaccreditation w.e.f. April 1, 2007. The guidelines have been provided to institutions for the creation and operation of IQACs, which are composed of administrators, academics and community stakeholders. These are responsible for a range of activities designed to promote and develop internal culture of quality control. The NAAC has come forward to support state governments in establishing IQACs. State councils of higher education will act as apex body for such activities. The cells will be a major initiative in promoting quality and sustaining it in all HEIs. In order to improve matters, the NAAC has asked the Planning Commission for special grants to appoint a full-time quality coordinator at all institutions accredited with it. The IQACs have to ensure that whatever is done in HEIs for “educator” is done efficiently and effectively with high standards thereby promoting quality. The management should ensure proper infrastructure and effective governance systems. Teachers have a critical role in building the competency of learners through best pedagogic practices. The aim of a quality institution is intended upon producing an individual who is socially responsible, globally aware and useful to the nation. This demands the adaptation of a more “open system” of education in which stakeholders must participate. It is only through promotion of participatory management practices like IQACs that the quality enhancement of an institution can be
realised.
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Implementation of schemes not satisfactory
The implementation of various educational schemes by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes students is not satisfactory.
Inaccurate/unrealistic budgeting, non-utilisation of funds, inter-state imbalances in release of central assistance, non-availability of central assistance, unspent balances, delayed/short/non-release of funds and diversion of funds have been noticed in all the schemes. As per the 2001 Census, the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes constitute 16.23 per cent and 8.2 per cent, respectively, of the country’s population. The literacy rate of the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes was 55 and 47 per cent, respectively, against the national literacy rate of 65 per cent. Educational schemes are implemented by the Centre with the objective of enabling the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes to upgrade their educational level. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs are implementing seven and eight schemes for SC and ST, respectively. These schemes cover a variety of benefits such as scholarships, construction of hotels and schools, establishment of book banks, provision of remedial and special coaching and the sanction of grants-in-aid to voluntary organisation working for SC and ST. In respect of the pre-matric scholarship scheme for those engaged in unclean occupations and the post-matric scholarship scheme, deficiencies in the implementation include short coverage of beneficiaries, payment of scholarship to ineligible beneficiaries, delays in payment of scholarships, excess payment of scholarship, deficiencies in the system of selection of beneficiaries, etc. In the ‘Scheme for the establishment of ashram schools in tribal sub-plan areas’, construction of schools was delayed in several cases and maintenance of schools was not given enough priority by state governments. Effectiveness of the scheme for ‘Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes’ suffered due to delays in release of funds. In the book bank scheme, procedural irregularities in purchase of books, purchase of inappropriate books and delays in purchase were noticed. The scheme of hostels for SC/ST community students suffered due to delays in completion of construction, lack of facilities, non-utilisation of facilities, etc. In respect of the ‘Coaching and allied scheme for STs and for weaker sections, including SCs, OBCs and minorities’, deficiencies included pre-examination training centres, inadequate number of sessions, non-availability of basic facilities, poor record maintenance, etc. In respect of schemes implemented through NGOs funds, funds were not recovered from blacklisted NGOs and NGOs deviated from the condition governing sanction of grants-in-aid. According to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, funds were sanctioned for projects in unidentified districts. In the ‘Scheme of setting up of educational complexes in low literacy pockets for the development of women’s literacy’, funds were sanctioned for projects in those districts which were not part of the identified districts. In the case of scholarship schemes and the ‘Book bank scheme’, monitoring mechanisms were not institutionalised and relevant provisions were not followed. Inspection was not conducted in a systematic manner and no independent evaluation was conducted at the Union level or in most of the states. Internal audit of the scheme was also not conducted at the Union level and also in many states. The dropout rate in respect of SC boys and girls increased in 2002-03 and 2003-04 in 14 and 19 states, respectively. The increase ranged from 0.30 to 2.99 per cent in 2002-03 and 0.04 to 28.98 per cent in 2003-04, respectively. Similarly, the dropout rate for ST boys and girls also increased in 2002-03 in 13 states and in 2003-04 in 11 states with reference to 2001-02. The increase ranged from 0.15 to 56.86 per cent and 0.06 to 62.5 per cent. The gap between general candidates and SC and ST was 6.7 per cent and 15.1 per cent in 2001-02 and rose to 10.4 and 16.6 per cent in 2003-04, respectively. Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Utter Pradesh along with other states were found to be lacking in inspection, evaluation of schemes. Also, implementation authorities did not submit reports to state governments.
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From selling bangles to writing letters DHANBAD: If one thinks “Sarva Siksha Abhiyan” is just another non-starter government programme, one should have a rethink as 53-year-old illiterate Hakiman Bibi showed how the universal education programme could be turned to her advantage. Bibi, who still sells bangles to eke out for a living, picked up a pen at 45, learning the basics under the programme at Baliapur in Dhanbad district. ”She was a fast learner and used to be first among her batch that started learning in 1994 under the programme,” says Mohammad Sarfuddin, a sociology teacher at BBM College, Baliapur. ”She completed the course in just three years and started to teach the basics to the women in rural areas thereafter, adds Sarfuddin, also a member of the district Saksharta Abhiyan committee. People in the village now look for Bibi from getting lessons to filling up bank deposits or withdrawal slips. Bibi said she wanted to be a woman of letters so that she would not be cheated by moneylenders, grocers and bangle dealers. This is not the end of the road for Bibi, for she is one among the seven women from Jharkhand and Bihar reportedly selected for a telefilm which would depict their success stories as part of an awareness campaign. — PTI
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Campus NoteS
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has granted a major research project, “Utilisation of tomato processing waste for pigment production by Rhodotorula glutinis”, to the Department of Food Science and Technology of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
According to Dr B. S. Gill, principal investigator, and Dr D. S. Sogi, co-principal investigator of the project, this Rs 50-lakh project would help in the utilisation of tomato processing waste, which was not being utilised properly into value added products.They said the research would focus on microorganism from tomato processing waste, which has anti-cancerous, anti-oxidative and anti-aging properties. The Department of Food Science and Technology has already done commendable work on extraction of lycopene from tomato processing waste and its anti-cancer properties.
International conference
The Guru Nanak Studies Department in collaboration with the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (UK) and the Elijah Interface Institute, Israel, is hosting international conference on "How can Religions Share their Wisdom" on November 28 at the university complex.
According to Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon, local coordinator, eminent religious leaders and scholars such as His Holiness Dalai Lama, Dr Abdurrrahman Wahid, former President of Indinaesia, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, H. H. Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, Cardinal Teleshore Placidus Toppo, Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh of the UK and Tarilochan Singh, Member Parliament, would present their views on this occasion. He said more than 100 religious leaders and scholars would participate in the conference. —
Contributed by Sanjay Bumbroo
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ADMISSION DEADLINE Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Krishak Nagar, Raipur 492006
(CG)www.igau.edu.in Masters in Veterinary Science
(MVSc)(Animal Breeding& Genetics / Animal Nutrition / Livestock Production & Management / Veterinary Pathology / Veterinary Medicine / Veterinary Physiology / Animal Reproduction, Obstetrics & Gynaecology / Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology / Veterinary Parasitology / Veterinary Anatomy & Histology / Veterinary Surgery & Radiology / Veterinary Microbiology) Eligibility: BVSc & AH degree (10 + 2 + 5 system) with OGPA of 6.0 on 10 point scale / 55% Selection: CET: 2. 1.2008 Application
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Deadline: 22 December 2007 Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Fletcher Bhawan, Hisar 125004
(Har) http://hau.ernet.in PhD (Agriculture / Animal Sciences / Basic Sciences / Home Science / Veterinary Science) Selection: Entrance Exam Application
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Art & Design
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degree For 2: 10+2 (any stream) Selection: Entrance Test & Interview: 27 November 2007 Application Form:
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IT
University of Delhi, Institute of Informatics & Communication (IIC), South Campus, New Delhi 110021 www.iic.ac.in MSc (Informatics), 2 years Eligibility: BSc / BSc (H) / B Applied Science (Physical / Chemical / Electronic / Maths / Computer Sciences) / BE / BTech (50%) Selection: Written Test: 27 January ‘08, GD & Interview. Application
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Management
Institute of Management Technology (IMT), PB No 137, Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad 201001 (UP)
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www.iptg.ac.in MTech / PhD (Oil & Gas Sector) Eligibility: Bachelors degree. Application
Form: Send Rs 1,500 for MMTech & Rs 1,200 for PhD by DD favouring IPTG, Gujarat. Superscribe “PG Admission 2008” on envelope; Write your name & Add on reverse of DD). Only online applications accepted. Application Deadline: 24 December 2007 National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra 136119 (Har) (Deemed University) (Har)
www.nitkkr.ac.in / www.nitkurukshetra.org MBA (2 years, Full-Time) Selection: CAT /JMET score, GD & PI Application Form &
Details: Website Application Deadline: 10 December 2007 Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT), Plot No 15, Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadai, Pune 411057 (Mah)
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Form: Send Rs 1,100/- by DD favouring “Director, Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology” payable at Pune to the above address / Download from website Application
Deadline: 05 January 2008 Fore School of Management, B 18, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016
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Form: Send Rs 1425/- by DD favouring “Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management,” payable at New Delhi, to the Admission Coordinator at the above address / Download from website. Application Deadline: 12 December 2007 Management Development Institute (MDI), School of Energy Management, Mehrauli - Gurgaon Road, Gurgaon 122001 (Har)
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www.bimtech.ac.in PG Diploma: (1 year, Full-Time) Mgmt / International Business / Insurance Business / Retail Mgmt Eligibility: Bachelors degree (50%) Selection: CAT 2007 scores, GD & Interview. Application
Form: Send Rs 1250/- by DD favouring “Birla Institute of Management Technology” payable at Greater Noida / Noida / New Delhi to above address / Download from website. Application
Deadline: 10 December 2007
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