Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari today stressed the need for providing chance of higher education in universities to the poor and middle classes to make better living. Addressing a brainstorming session here he said that “Centre Higher Education Bill 2018 is not in a position to address the issues of the varsities. The Centre sough the opinions of the states on the bill that will replace UGC. The session was conducted to take opinions of experts, educationists, VCs and intellectuals on the proposals of the new bill. He said that a final report will be sent to the Centre by July 20 followed by an approval from Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Srihari expressed a sort of discontent that the bill is against the autonomy of the varsities. It is also not up to the mark to cater to the needs of varsities and higher education for majority people and poor.
He said that the bill needs reforms enabling the poor go in for higher education, give more funds and stop meddling in direct recruitment of vice chancellors and avoid checking rights of the states as per constitution. The bill has major say of bureaucrats and least bothered of educationists and experts he opined. Telangana is in forefront in registration of SC and STs in the country and set up more number of Gurukul schools with social responsibility. The Centre has reduced funds to education sector in four years and did not fill up posts in varsities. A previous commission did not submit its report though the Centre seeks opinion on the issue he charged. The Centre or the new bill should not hamper the state interests and avoid control at high level.
MPs Keshava Rao, Owaisi, TSCHE Chairman Papi Reddy, VCs and officials present. (NSS)