30 December,2010 06:49 AM IST | | Alifiya Khan
Ministry promises to set right all wrongs of 2010 in coming year; on cards is formulation of law on school fee hike, keeping strict tabs on fake degrees and colleges, completion of Pune University restoration work
Education was in the news for all the wrong reasons this year. From widespread protests by parents over fee hike in schools to deemed universities losing their status, and from bogus institutes being busted to protests by
students over privatisation of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), the list is endless.
However, the education ministry has made a slew of promises that can revamp the entire education sector, if all goes according to plan. The ministry has announced many ambitious policies for schools, colleges and even deemed institutes next year.
Schools
Bill on fee hike regulation: The most important issue that rocked school campuses across the state was overcharging of fees. After state wide protests that went on for many months, the state government announced that a bill would be soon introduced to regulate school fees. It would be tabled on March 1, 2011, the first day of next year's budget session and all schools would have to follow it from the next academic year.
Reducing academic pressure: From next year, there would be no list of toppers, either state or divisional, thus reducing the pressure on students. Besides that the tentative time-table for board exams would be available at the beginning of the year, giving ample time for students to prepare.
Best-Five formula: After experimenting with various formulas for junior college admissions, the state has finally decided on the best-five formula. The best-five formula allows students from all boards to calculate their percentage based on the best scores from five subjects and apply for admissions. This would ease the pressure on them.
Colleges
The state government has set up three committees to revamp higher education. The first committee will look at the overall changes to be brought in the sector. The second under the chairmanship of Arun Nigvekar will revise the Maharshtra University Act. The third lead by Ram Takawale will bifurcate the University of Pune. Colleges are being encouraged to get permanent affiliation so as to get UGC funding.
They are also being encouraged to become autonomous and policies are being formulated around that goal.
University of Pune
A lot will change on the University of Pune (UoP) campus. Degrees are being digitalised so that companies can verify and identify fake degrees. The restoration work of the main building and development of infrastructure in the 411-acre campus of the UoP is expected to get over by 2011. Besides that accreditation, elections and recruitment will go online at the UoP.
