HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday indicated the government is considering giving more autonomy to colleges and institutions of higher learning so they have greater freedom to impart better education.
“We will come out with many more schemes, because I believe (when) colleges become more autonomous, they get more freedom to give more quality education,” he said. Asked if more autonomy would be granted to higher education institutions with him at the helm at HRD, Javadekar responded, saying “that is the programme”.
The HRD minister, who recently took charge of the ministry from Smriti Irani, however, added since Parliament is in session, he cannot make policy announcements.
“I believe for higher education the main challenge is creating capacity and providing quality education,” Javadekar said, adding that there will be a marked difference in improving the standards.
Asked about the role of regulators like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Javadekar said he was reviewing various issues for understanding. When asked if these reviews could lead to changes, he said “change is a constant thing.” He said while bright Indian students go abroad to countries like the US for higher education, the government’s aim is to make quality education available here. He was asked whether he was sure that the government would be able to improve the education scenario in the remaining three years of the Narendra Modi dispensation’s tenure.