Reforms In Higher Education Pursued By Government

The Government is expected to vigorously push its reforms agenda in higher education sector during the Winter Session of Parliament as a host of proposed legislation’s are listed for consideration. Kapil Sibal, the HRD Minister has already held some discussions with MP's both from the Congress and its allies in the run up to the Session for a smooth passage of the bills.

As one of the key Bills listed for consideration is the Educational Tribunals Bill, 2010. The bill was differed in the Monsoon session last year after Sibal's party colleague Mr. Keshav Rao wanted him to honour parliamentary committee recommendations.

Kapil Sibal said “It would be crucial that this time some of the bills, the non-passage of which has slowed the reforms process, is smoothly passed to give a kick-start to the whole exercise”. The Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2011 also holds significance as its passage would pave the way for award of degrees to students of IISER.

The Architects (Amendment) Bill, 2010, the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2010 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2010 are also listed for consideration. Hence according to the senior official in the HRD Ministry, the passage of the Tribunal Bill is Crucial as several other key legislation’s such as the unfair practices bill and National Academic Depository Bill are “intertwined” with each other.

Hence it releases to specific inclusion of child with disability in the definition regarding child belonging to disadvantaged group and enlarge the scope of disabilities. It also seeks to amend provisions regarding School Management Committees in respect of 'aided minority schools'.