Bhatti slams UGC draft guidelines, urges states to unite in fight for autonomy in education
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka slammed new draft guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC), which he said was like "paying the bill but being unable to order food."
Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka slammed new draft guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC), which he said was like "paying the bill but being unable to order food."
Speaking at the national convention on higher education, organised by the Kerala government in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, Bhatti denounced the BJP-led Centre’s move to what he said was an attempt to limit states' involvement in key educational decisions while expecting them to extend financial support. He proposed Hyderabad as the venue for the next conference where they could develop a collective action plan against UGC move.
Bhatti expressed concern over the removal of state governments' role from the appointment of vice chancellors and admissions in state universities, warning that such a shift would reduce their role to ceremonial functions.
Stressing that education was in the concurrent list of the Constitution, he asserted that it was not the sole domain of the Central government. He underscored the importance of states maintaining control over their educational policies.
Bhatti demanded that the Centre have meaningful consultations with states before implementing any major policy changes. He warned that failure to uphold federal principles would have long-term consequences for states.
To drive home his point, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the impact of UGC’s proposed guidelines through a presentation. He also explained the reforms undertaken in Telangana's education sector. He urged all states to voice their concerns instead of participating in discussions, adding that a united stand would compel the Centre to listen.
"States are not just administrative units, they are the lifeline for the country's progress," he said.
Bhatti cautioned against a ‘remote-controlled’ education system that is dictated by Delhi and called for policies tailored to regional requirements.
Asserting that cooperation should be based on consultation rather than coercion, he urged the Centre to engage with states in policy decisions. Citing the Brookings Report, he noted that Indian higher education institutions currently enroll an average of 690 students compared to China’s 16,000. He warned that setting a standard enrollment of 3,000 students could adversely impact institutional rankings and funding opportunities. He highlighted the financial and logistical challenges of implementing bi-annual examinations, urging the Centre to provide substantial financial support if such measures are to be enacted.
