HRD minister Arjun Singh announced the tabling of the controversial and much-opposed foreign educational institutions
NEW DELHI: With the Left parties out of its way, the Centre is now keen to get going with crucial held up “reforms” in the education sector. HRD minister Arjun Singh announced the tabling of the controversial and much-opposed foreign educational institutions (regulation of entry and operations, maintenance of quality and prevention of commercialisation) bill, 2007, in the monsoon session of parliament.
This bill was put on hold due to heavy opposition from the Left. CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat, in fact, had met Arjun last summer to express the Left’s reservation on it, after which the bill was referred to a group of ministers for suggesting changes.
The changed bill was approved by the cabinet in March and was scheduled to be tabled in the budget session, but the government preferred to put it on hold to avoid annoying the Left.
Now, in the changed political scenario, Arjun had no fear in openly declaring the government’s intentions. He, however, was cautious to add that the concerns of the Left had been addressed in the draft bill.
The Left parties are not convinced. “The government should first put in place a regulation for our own educational institutions. Our deemed universities are shops with no quality control. If the government wants reforms, it should regulate deemed and private universities first,” Brinda told DNA.
“The government is pushing the bill under pressure from the US since it was part of the three decisions taken during the Indo-US CEOs forum in July 2005.” The other two were on foreign direct investment in banks and insurance.
The Left feels the bill will allow US industrialists to set up shops in India to make money from education. “It is now clear that the government wants to make education a profit-making business,” Brinda said.
While sources said the bill would sail through in parliament, she made it clear the Left would strongly oppose it.
About 700 foreign institutions have sought permission to begin professional courses in India. HRD ministry officials said besides regulating the entry and operation of foreign universities and education providers in the country, the legislation will protect students from being duped by fly-by-night operators and from receiving sub-standard education.
p_vineeta@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}