In a bid to bring in greater transparency, freedom and autonomy as part of key reforms in University Grants Commission (UGC), the Human Resource Development ministry will push for "graded regulatory mechanism".
Speaking about UGC reforms, Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said that thrust is to give more autonomy to good institutes and "monitor mid-level and monitor more those in the lower rungs". "Everybody would be incentivised to go upwards," he added.
Referring to the IIM Bill, which is expected to come up in the current Parliament session, Javadekar said it indicates the shape of things to come.
Javadekar on Sunday said that 'SWAYAM', an open web-based platform from which 2000 courses will be run for students across the country, will be launched next month. He said that it would become what ATM is for money.
"It will be any time learning and anywhere learning," the minister said while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the budget provisions.
Referring to the Union Budget 2017, Javadekar said that it reflects the government's vision of raising quality in the education sector, which has got additional funds this time to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore. He said that as per the Right to Education Act, learning outcomes are being defined and will be part of the coming academic session.
Another initiative is an innovation fund of Rs 100 crore for schools which will be introduced in educationally backwards districts, he said.
The minister said a separate exam agency has also been announced which will conduct major exams, many of which are being conducted by an "overburdened" CBSE.
The HRD minister also referred to the announcement made in 2016 budget about creating 20 world class institutions and said that consultations are complete and guidelines finalised. He said institutions would be asked to file applications and the process would start soon. They would be known as institutions of excellence, Javadekar said.
The minister also said that the HRD ministry is working in a major way to bring reforms in teachers' education. Asked about exceptionally high cut-offs in some Delhi University colleges, the HRD minister said that it is true that a situation has come where even after scoring 90 per cent students are disappointed and said that the issue will be looked into.
About the names for Vice-Chancellor in Aligarh Muslim University, he said that the decision will be taken as per procedure. He was also asked about certain UGC regulations on admission in PhDs related to which some students were agitating in Jawaharlal Nehru University. Javadekar said if required the students could come and meet him regarding their grievances.