Govt reviewing key regulators like UGC, AICTE
for education reforms: Smriti Irani

New Delhi: HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday said that key regulators in the higher education sector, like UGC and AICTE, are being reviewed keeping in mind the challenges of the future.

Smriti Irani said government was reviewing key regulators in education. Reuters

"I am happy to share with you... be it UGC, be it AICTE, or the National Council for Teachers Education... We have undertaken review of most of our regulatory bodies," Irani said.

She said that the review was essential to bring about a holistic change in the functioning of the institutions of learning and to take the education agenda ahead in the country.

Addressing the FICCI Higher Education Summit here, Irani said that as the Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, she wants to "redefine India's destiny" through reforms in the education sector.

Her comments came against the backdrop of her ministry setting up separate committees to review the functioning of UGC, AICTE and NCTE.

"There are many who see education in India as a challenge. I look upon it as an opportunity to redefine India's destiny. There have been many comments... many people expressing their anguish about the need for reform.

"I am happy to share with you that in just the last six months, the government has put forth many initiatives to see how reform can be brought into the functioning of regulators," she said in the presence of the dignitaries at the event, among whom were South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and UK Minister of State for Universities, Greg Clark.

The HRD Ministry has already set up a panel to restructure UGC, thus putting in motion an initiative for carrying out an overhaul of the higher education sector.

The AICTE restructuring committee will also look into the revamping of its grant distribution function to ensure timely utilisation of funds and measures for enhancing quality research in technical education.

Irani also said that the government will next year roll out the 'Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan' with a view to arresting the falling trend of learning outcomes in mathematics and science for students between Stds VI-VII and upgrade the skills of teachers in line with the needs of modern society.

PTI