Kerala's non-compliance with National Education Policy leads to uncertainty over Rs 700 cr central fund

Friday 24 November, 2023 | 3:06 AM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After Kerala refused to implement the National Education Policy as it is, the central assistance of Rs 700 crores to the higher education sector has been put in jeopardy.

According to PM-USHA (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan), the main condition put forward by the Centre for signing the MoU for assistance is that the National Education Policy should be implemented as it is. The state did not accept this and signed the memorandum of understanding but it was not accepted. Kerala has not opened the portal to upload projects for funding.

The assistance is for infrastructure development, teacher training and research in universities, government, aided and autonomous colleges. Of the Rs 565 crores allocated in two phases, Rs 81 crores are yet to be received. In the scheme, the share of 60 percent is from the Centre and 40 per cent from the state. At least Rs 700 crores should be received in the next phase. Kerala University has prepared development projects worth Rs 100 crores for central assistance.

Some of the proposals of the National Education Policy, including the four-year degree, were implemented in the state. But Kerala does not accept conditions such as exit with a diploma on completion of the first year of a four-year degree, and transfer of credit to institutions with good grades only.

Development projects will be affected

Infrastructure is being provided in varsities and colleges using central funds
Allocations for teacher training, quality improvement and research will freeze
Classrooms, libraries and labs are being built in 161 institutions with central assistance

Reason for opposal

1)If exit is allowed from the first year of four year degree, the students will drop out and the course cannot be conducted

2) If credit transfer is restricted, transfer will be impossible even to state universities.

3) Failure to transfer credit to all colleges will go against higher education reform