The National Knowledge Commission, headed by Sam Pitroda, has recommended major changes in the present education system.
National Knowledge Commission suggests sweeping reforms of education system
NEW DELHI: Suggesting radical reforms as the only way out to completely transform India’s knowledge sector, the National Knowledge Commission (NKC), headed by Sam Pitroda, has recommended some revolutionary changes in the present education system, in its final report to the Prime Minister.
Given the onus to prepare a blueprint for reforming education and knowledge sector, the NKC has recommended sweeping reforms, including setting up of 1500 new universities, to meet the growing demand for higher education, and making English language compulsory from Class I onwards.
Agreeing that the higher education system is in need of comprehensive reform, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said a consensus has to be built on it now. “These are ideas that merit serious discussion,” the PM said.
The NKC has maintained a diplomatic silence over the issue of reservation of seats in education. While suggesting that a number of affirmative actions should be taken to provide social justice, the NKC recommendations say: “Reservations are essential but are only a part of affirmative action. The Deprivation Index of students should be taken into account while taking affirmative action.”
With a special focus on higher education, the NKC has recommended creating more universities for more opportunities.
“About 1500 required to enable India attain a gross enrolment ratio of at least 15 per cent by 2015. The focus should be on new universities but some clusters of affiliated colleges could also become universities. Establish 50 national universities in long term and at least 10 in the next three years,” it says.
The experts have suggested for reforming existing universities and undergraduate institutions by revising and restructuring curricula and the annual exams which NKC feels is just test of memory.
“Rather, understanding should be supplemented with internal assessment,” NKC has recommended. Higher education institutes should be encouraged to adopt a needs-blind admission to prevent them from taking financial factors in account while giving admission.
Finding flaws in the present system for regulation of higher education, the NKC wants a complete revamp. It feels the barriers are too high and cumbersome, and the system is over-regulated and under-governed.
“Hence, an Independent Regulator Authority for Higher Edu (IRAHE) could be established by an act of Parliament. It should be the only body to grant degree granting power to institutions and UGC should focus only on disbursement of grants, and maintenance of institutions.” NKC recommends teaching of English as a language along with the first language (mother tongue) from Class I itself.
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