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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | UGC to review schemes for target groups by Basant Kumar Mohanty

UGC to review schemes for target groups by Basant Kumar Mohanty

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published Published on Jun 13, 2011   modified Modified on Jun 13, 2011
The University Grants Commission has set up four committees to review educational development schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and women, the relook prompted by statistics that show the measures haven’t been all that effective.

While the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education for all categories in 2007-08 was 13.58, the corresponding percentage for SCs was 11.62 and for STs 9.86 per cent, according to HRD ministry figures for the key indicator.

The GER for Muslims in the 18-24 age group shows only 6.84 per cent enrolled in 2004-05, far lower compared with students from other religious groups who applied for higher studies (undergraduation, graduation and above).

Women accounted for about 41 per cent of the total enrolment, according to the latest figures.

A source in the higher education regulator said the low levels of participation among these groups led to the scrutiny.

“Separate committees have been set up to undertake a complete review of schemes for promoting education among SCs, STs, minorities and women. These committees will find out the factors that have been acting as constraints in proper implementation of the schemes. These committees will suggest if new initiatives are required in the 12th Plan (2012-17),” the UGC source told The Telegraph.

The committees — headed by professors B. Hanumaiah, Mrinal Miri, Najeeb Jung and Chandra Krishnamurthi — are expected to submit their reports by the end of this month.

The UGC has so far launched nearly 20 schemes for promoting education among these groups. They include PG scholarships for SCs, STs and minorities; and special cells in universities, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowships and remedial coaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for SCs and STs.

The commission has also launched a number of schemes for women, such as study centres in universities, post-doctoral fellowships and Indira Gandhi Scholarships to help single girl children pursue higher studies.

“The poor enrolment rate shows the schemes for educationally backward groups like SCs and STs have not delivered as expected,” said former Madras University vice-chancellor S.P. Thyagarajan.

“The main problem is students from SC, ST and Muslim communities lack the encouragement and facilities for education. Most of them are first-generation learners and need mentoring. Special coaching and other logistic support should be provided to bring them on a par with their general counterparts,” Thyagarajan added.

He also said the “level of competence” among most SC/ST and Muslim students in colleges and universities was “poor”.

Professor Kancha Ilaiah, director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, said reserved seats for SC/ST students remain vacant in many higher education institutions.

“A major problem is that enrolment of students from these backward sections is low at the primary level. Most of them drop out also. Special care has to be taken at the elementary level to increase their enrolment and check the dropout rate,” he said.

The Telegraph, 13 June, 2011, http://telegraphindia.com/1110613/jsp/nation/story_14106336.jsp


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