Stress on diversification of courses
G. KRISHNAKUMAR
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The State Higher Education Council has issued a fresh set of guidelines for starting new colleges or courses.
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New norms: At a government college – the starting of new self financing courses will not be favoured in such institutions and aided colleges.
Strengthening of the public funded system and diversification of courses will be the main emphasis when the government sanctions a new college or course in Kerala from the new academic year.
Maximum geographical distribution within the State will be ensured while starting a new college. New colleges and courses can be started in the government or aided sector, depending on the financial resources of the government.
These proposals form part of the fresh set of guidelines issued by the State Higher Education Council. The council has recommended that priority should be given to professional colleges and new generation courses.
Disciplines that have not been fully opened up could be preferred over others. Areas with low density of colleges can be given priority in starting new institutions.
Only aided courses should be sanctioned in government and aided colleges.
Courses, which are proposed to be run in the self-financing mode or on condition that there will be no additional financial commitment on government, need not be recommended in the government and aided colleges.
Objective
The objective should be to ensure the separate identity of public and private institutions, so that there would be no private appropriation of public assets.
Public private partnership mode in government and aided institutions through self-financing courses need not be permitted
Unaided colleges and courses may be sanctioned selectively. The government can give no objection certificate (NOC) for starting new unaided colleges preferably in areas where there is less number of institutions of the same category.
Government control
In the unaided sector, preference may be given to institutions under government control. Unaided colleges and unaided courses in unaided colleges may be recommended, subject to certain conditions for ensuring adequate social control for the promotion of equity and excellence in higher education.
An undertaking from the managements may be insisted on as a condition precedent for granting NOC for new unaided colleges and courses.
Colleges and courses shall be started only after providing adequate infrastructure, human and physical, as may be certified by the affiliating university. The procedure of admission will be as decided by the government. Only fees determined by the government from time to time should be collected from the students.
The appointment and service conditions of teachers and non-teaching staff will be as determined by the government. An appropriate governance structure that will ensure transparency, efficiency and social accountability will be instituted in the institutions as determined by the government or universities from time to time.
Recruitment
The recruitment of teachers and the admission of students in higher education institutions should be governed by the principle of balancing the objectives of expansion, excellence and equity.
The principles of merit and reservation should be observed both in the recruitment of teachers and in the admission of the students in all institutions of higher education, whether government, aided or unaided. Only courses approved by the affiliating university shall be conducted.
Details regarding the establishment and governance of the institution, admission, fees, courses, results, teaching and other staff and any further information as required by the government or university shall be published on the web site of the institution.
Temporary affiliation
The affiliation granted will be temporary and there will be no claim for permanent affiliation. Adequate time shall be given for academic preparation after granting NOC.
NOC may be given by the government three months ahead of the new academic year for starting new college or course in 2008-09.
Colleges or courses for which NOC is given afterwards may be permitted to start them only in 2009-10.
NOC or affiliation will be withdrawn by the government or universities on violation of the above conditions.
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