Srinagar: The ruling PDP-BJP government would moved a Bill tomorrow in state assembly for creation of higher education council, a pre-requisite under Rashtriya Madhyamaik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), a government of India’s ambitious initiative and comprehensive scheme for the higher education sector.
Headed by Chief Minister, the Council would render advice to government, state universities, private universities and other institutions of Higher Education in the state.
At present, seven universities, 96 government Degree Colleges and 208 Private B. Ed/Law/Degree Colleges, besides two Agriculture Universities and two Central Universities are functioning in the State.
In order to avail the benefits for development of education sector, the RUSA Scheme was approved by the State Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 3 October 2013 under which two Cluster Universities have been established, one each at Srinagar and Jammu under Srinagar and Jammu Cluster Universities Act of 2016 passed by State legislature, besides two Government Colleges of Engineering and Technology one each al Janglote, Kathua and Safapora. Ganderbal.
Under the guidelines prescribed by the MHRD, Government of India, State needs to set up State Higher Education Council through an executive order to begin with but must be converted into statutory bodies by Acts of the State Legislature within two years, for enforcing, planning, monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance in Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions of the State for effective functioning of State Higher Education System
The council also provides to coordinate the roles of the Government, State Universities. Private Universities, and Apex Regulatory Agencies in Higher Education within the State and provide common facilities in Higher education without impairing upon the autonomy of other institutions of Higher Education.
