MHRD Launches Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Scheme to Curb Students' Suicide

The increasing number of cases of suicides in colleges and universities in the country is a major cause of concern. In order to keep a check on the same, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched an initiative named Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL).

The announcement was made by Union Minister of State for HRD, Mahendra Nath Pandey at the ‘Global Summit on Quality Higher Education’ organised by NAAC in Bangalore.

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While addressing the gathering, he mentioned that students these are days are caught in the web of tough competition and pressure from parents, that in turn leads to depression. Under the PAL scheme, promotion of interaction between students will be a priority. This interaction will be such that the academically good students will be able to assist those who are not, in order to help them cope up with studies and competition. The universities and colleges all over India have been directed to implement the PAL scheme.

Highlights and changes of the NAAC review process:

• To inspect colleges and universities in fewer days and fewer members
• To increase quality and credibility of its assessments
• Peer teams will not have experts from each faculty as practiced earlier
• Logistical responsibilities of the peer teams will be given to a third party to increase transparency
• Experienced assessors from IITs and IIMs will be roped to increase quality of assessments

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Additionally, National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC), has also signed MoUs with Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan and Tertiary Education Commission, Mauritius, with the objective of strengthening ties and facilitating assessment functions between the institutions.