UGC’s Clampdown on Distance Education Is Against the Spirit of NEP 2020

Why in News?

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has debarred the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) from offering open and distance learning (ODL) and online programmes.
• NMIMS started its sub-campuses in five different locations without requisite permissions.
• Although the UGC’s decision sends a strong message, it would have been more credible if this was done through a transparent process.

 

The University Grants Commission (UGC)

• The UGC was established as a statutory body in November 1956 by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, in accordance with the UGC Act 1956.
• It is charged with coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education in India.
• It provides recognition to universities in India and disbursements of funds to such recognised universities and colleges.
• A proposal to replace it with another new regulatory body called the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) is under consideration by the Government of India.

 

UGC’s Guidelines for Institutions Offering ODL

• Distance Education Bureau of the UGC rules state that all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) offering open learning programmes are required to abide by the UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations 2020 and its amendments.
• The HEIs are also required to adhere to the UGC’s policy of Territorial Jurisdiction and Learner Support Centres (LSC) as specified.
• HEIs are also required to get the duration of the course, entry level qualifications and number of credits offered in compliance to UGC norms.

 

UGC’s Policy of Territorial Jurisdiction

• In case of State Universities (both Govt. funded & Private), the Territorial Jurisdiction will be as per their Acts and Statutes but not beyond the boundaries of their respective states.
• In case of Deemed to be Universities, the Territorial Jurisdiction will be as per the notification of Govt. of India to accord them this status until a policy decision is taken by the UGC.
• The Territorial Jurisdiction in case of Private Institutions (other than Universities) will be headquarters - any such institution desires to offer programmes beyond its headquarters then it should establish new institutions as per norms.
• No University/ Institution will be allowed to franchise the Study centres; the Universities/ Institutions will have to operate the study centres themselves.

 

Issues with UGC’s ODLRegulations

• Lack of A+ Grade Institutes
  • One of the major drawbacks of the UGC regulation is the lack of institutes that meet the standards.
  • India does not have many institutes that hold a NAAC score of 3.26 or more (A+ grade). 
• Monopoly and cartelisation
  • ODL remain restricted to a few universities which could lead to monopoly and cartelisation
  • This leads to an immediate fall in the availability of options for the students.
• Lack Of Regulatory Bodies
  • While the UGC says that the universities must get the prior approval for the courses from the respective regulatory authorities, not all the courses have a regulatory body yet.
  • Also, there are no NAAC or NIRF systems in place for National Open Learning institutes, such as Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
• Loss of Funds
  • ODL courses are a major source of funds for universities. The new regulations will have a disastrous effect on revenue collection of universities.
  • UGC rules also state that the state universities need to operate within the state and not beyond the territorial jurisdiction, and this has caused even the approved universities to lose their learning centres.
• Would create huge financial burden on students
  • Distance learning courses are cheaper and can be accessed from even remote areas of the country.
  • This makes it an affordable and efficient means of continuing education for the people who are working and earning simultaneously.
  • UGC regulations will lead to the lack of availability of this cheap learning method.
  • The approved universities, especially the private ones, can take advantage of the situation and increase the fees for the online courses.
• Contrary to the idea of open learning
  • The technology on which ODL rides knows no geographic or political boundaries.
  • It is absurd to artificially impose restrictions and stopping someone from Delhi registering for education in Maharashtra.

 

Recommendation Made by Madhav Menon Committee

• Creating a different statute for distance learning. The idea is to set up an independent regulatory authority to be called the Distance Education Council of India (DECI).
• Once the National Commission for Higher Education and Research Bill is passed, DECI and other current regulators like UGC, AICTE, and MCI would eventually be absorbed into the proposed umbrella regulator.
• Once the system is in place, the DECI of UGC may start the recognition of ODL institutions as per the newly developed system and enforce norms and standards laid by it.

 

Way Forward

• UGC must adopt technology for compliance
  • Any regulatory system that thrives on inspections to deliver on its objectives will suffer from subjectivity, arbitrariness, and corruption.
  • For AICTE, the watershed came in 2009 when it introduced complete e-governance resulting in transparency and accountability.
  • UGC too must adopt technology rather than rely on inspections as a primary method of compliance.
• Change the Notion of Profit from Education: Perhaps it is time to change our notion about “education not for profit.” The money must come from somewhere. If the state also does not provide resources, then the burden will shift to the students.

 

Conclusion

• UGC’s clamp down on distance education goes against the spirit of NEP2020.
• It is the responsibility of UGC to ensure that the country achieves the target of 50 per cent GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) by 2035 enshrined in NEP2020.

 

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Q1)  What are the changes in the board exam pattern under NEP 2020? 

The Board exam will be held for 10th and 12th class, but there would be more objective type questions, and the pattern would be redesigned, keeping in mind the holistic development of students.  A new National Assessment centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of knowledge for Holistic Development) will be formed as a standard-setting body for regulation.

 

Q2) What are the qualifications needed for a teacher under NEP 2020?

The minimum mandatory qualification will be a four year integrated Bed degree. In addition to this, NCTE in association with NCERT will formulate a new National Curriculum Framework For Teacher Education (NCFTE), 2021.

 

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Source: The Indian Express