Govt plans higher fees for rich to fund the poor
If parents can pay higher school fees for their children, they may as well pay higher fees in colleges and universities too.
NEW DELHI: If parents can pay higher school fees for their children, they may as well pay higher fees in colleges and universities too. The government is working out a plan to this effect.
The Human Resource Development Ministry and University Grants Commission (UGC) are discussing the issue with vice-chancellors and state education secretaries at a two-day conference on higher education currently on in the Capital.While stressing that government's funding on education would increase substantially, the Planning Commission feels the contribution from students must also go up.
"We are thinking about revising the fees structure. Parents paying Rs5,000 fees in nursery and other classes cannot get subsidised education for their wards at the college and university levels. The rich must pay more so that only those who cannot afford higher education gain from the government subsidies," said Commission member Professor B Mungekar, in a clear indication of the government's plan to unveil a two-tier fee system soon.
During discussions on the funding and fee mechanism in higher education with the V-Cs of state, central, private and deemed universities at the regional conferences, it was strongly felt that fees could not be ridiculously low.
Currently, most students pay just 5% of their total education cost. The government plans to gradually hike fees to recover a maximum of 20% of operating expenses. It was agreed that a system of cross-subsidisation in the form of variable fees structure should be worked out where those who can pay are charged higher fees, while those who cannot get fee-waivers.
One of the proposals under consideration is a two-tier system under which students from private schools are charged higher fees, while the fee can remain low for those from government schools. The family's income certificate would also be taken into account.
The government would also increase the number of scholarships, loans, fellowships and fee-waivers to give needy students a boost. However, experts are sceptical about the implementation aspect of such a plan.
The Human Resource Development Ministry and University Grants Commission (UGC) are discussing the issue with vice-chancellors and state education secretaries at a two-day conference on higher education currently on in the Capital.While stressing that government's funding on education would increase substantially, the Planning Commission feels the contribution from students must also go up.
"We are thinking about revising the fees structure. Parents paying Rs5,000 fees in nursery and other classes cannot get subsidised education for their wards at the college and university levels. The rich must pay more so that only those who cannot afford higher education gain from the government subsidies," said Commission member Professor B Mungekar, in a clear indication of the government's plan to unveil a two-tier fee system soon.
During discussions on the funding and fee mechanism in higher education with the V-Cs of state, central, private and deemed universities at the regional conferences, it was strongly felt that fees could not be ridiculously low.
Currently, most students pay just 5% of their total education cost. The government plans to gradually hike fees to recover a maximum of 20% of operating expenses. It was agreed that a system of cross-subsidisation in the form of variable fees structure should be worked out where those who can pay are charged higher fees, while those who cannot get fee-waivers.
One of the proposals under consideration is a two-tier system under which students from private schools are charged higher fees, while the fee can remain low for those from government schools. The family's income certificate would also be taken into account.
The government would also increase the number of scholarships, loans, fellowships and fee-waivers to give needy students a boost. However, experts are sceptical about the implementation aspect of such a plan.