Centre to Grant Autonomy to Colleges: Is It A Move In The Right Direction?

Some of the popular universities in India are set to get an autonomous status despite students opposition against the government's decision. The Centre is anticipated to grant complete autonomy for all colleges and universities.

According to a news daily's report, top ranking educational institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) and Lady Shri Ram College which are funded by the Centre could get full operational autonomy including that in financial matters.

Why are varsities given autonomy?

A high-powered committee headed by Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya is on the verge of making many educational reforms and autonomy is a part of its plans for the betterment of the education system.

How will institutes become better through autonomy?

When executed, this move would also help in raising resources independently. This means the varsities will be free to acquire resources and package themselves according to their needs without waiting for a grant for every facility.

What is the disadvantage of granting autonomy?

There are chances for the colleges to multiply under the aegis of the parent company name. This means there will be more colleges with deteriorated quality since quantity will take centre stage. Already there are too many engineering colleges in the country and this move will only be another pain in the neck to the unorganised education system.

Centre funded colleges accreditation

Also, all the universities and colleges which are funded by the Centre and are ranked in 'A, A+, A++' category by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) will come under the best club of institutions to be granted complete autonomy in near future. The NAAC is an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to assess and accredit institutions of higher education in the country.

Also in a statement on college autonomy at Budget 2017, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "Greater autonomy will be provided to major institutes."

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