Cap on private school fee a distant dream in Himachal Pradesh

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 25

The Covid-19 pandemic cast its shadow on the education sector as plans of the government to open educational institutions were thwarted by the second wave which forced frequent lockdowns.

Meanwhile, the long wait of university and college teachers did not end as the revised UGC scales were not released even after a delay of six years. The government passed an Act to establish another university at Mandi even though the six existing state universities are reeling under severe financial constraints.

Parents of the children studying in private schools continued their agitation as the government dithered on the issue of bringing a legislation to regulate the fee structure.

The issue of alleged irregularities in appointments at the Himachal Pradesh University was frequently raised by the Opposition. Besides, the decision of the executive council to give admission to the wards of teachers in PhD courses without any entrance test queered the pitch for the Vice-Chancellor.

The cluster university set up under Rashtriya Ucchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) received a jolt as the government decided to transfer the infrastructure and assets along with staff to the new Sardar Patel University.

The Education Department set up 1,023 clusters for middle, senior secondary and high levels under the New Education Policy for the optimal use of available infrastructure and manpower. Online teaching under “Har Ghar Pathshala” was a big success.

The investigations into the multi-crore fake degree scam in Manav Bharti University (MBU) did not make any significant progress.

The Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission tightened its noose on private universities and a committee set up to scrutinise the eligibility of faculty members as per UGC norms found that 10 to 15 per cent of the faculty was ineligible in private universities. Qualifications and experience of newly appointed Vice Chancellors of eight private universities in the state are also under the scrutiny of the HPPERC.

The distribution of laptops to meritorious students continued to hang fire as the government failed to take decisions on procurement of laptops and the beneficiaries did not get the laptops during 2021.

NOOSE TIGHTENED AROUND VARSITIES

• Regulator tightened noose on pvt universities, 10 to 15 per cent faculty was found ineligible
• Distribution of laptops to students hangs fire
• 1,023 clusters set up in schools by Edu Dept