MHRD Receives 7,529 Suggestions on Education Commission of India Act

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has uploaded the draft of the Education Commission of India Act 2018 (a repeal of UGC Act) for public feedback. The draft Act enables the setting up of HECI (Higher Education Commission of India) repealing the UGC Act 1956. The draft Act was on the official website of UGC/ MHRD from June 27, 2018. The ministry has welcomed feedback from the public on the HECI Act 2018 so that it can proceed with the setting up of the new regulator.

Public, educationists, stakeholders and academic experts can furnish their feedback and comments on the Education Commission of India Act 2018 through the official website of MHRD/ UGC. July 20, 2018, is the last date to submit the feedback on the draft Act. So far, MHRD receives 7,529 suggestions on the draft HECI Act 2018.

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Through HECI, MHRD is aiming to improve the academic standards in the country with a significant focus on learning outcomes, promoting the use of educational technology, training of teachers, mentoring of institutes, evaluating the performance of institutes etc. Unlike the University Grants Commission (UGC), HECI will not have the authority to approve grants and rather it will be dealt by the Ministry itself. HECI will only focus on academic matters.

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HECI will reduce the scope of regulation with non-interference in the management issues of educational institutes.

Apart from the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, HECI will comprise of 12 other members directly appointed by the Central Government. Two serving VCs, Chairpersons of AICTE and NCET, secretaries of higher education, department of science and technology and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship may be appointed as the members of HECI.