Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education raised concerns of over-centralization with the proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, which seeks to replace University Grants Commission (UGC) as a single regulator.
About the proposed HECI
Need for HECI
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- National Education Policy 2020 recommended to constitute an umbrella institution, HECI, with 4 independent verticals:
- National Higher Education Regulatory Council: To function as common, single point regulator for higher education sector including teacher education and excluding medical and legal education.
- National Accreditation Council: To supervise and oversee accreditation of Higher Educational Institution.
- Higher Education Grants Council: To carry out funding and financing of higher education based on transparent criteria.
- General Education Council: To frame expected learning outcomes for higher education programmes, including formulation of National Higher Education Qualification Framework.
Concerns raised
- Overcentralization: Central Government- heavy composition and insufficient State representation.
- Impact on Educational institutions in rural areas: Removes State control and could lead to closure of institutions in rural areas that suffer from infrastructure or faculty shortages and could indirectly fuel privatization, especially in rural areas.
