| RUSA to replace UGC for strict performance based funding | | Tough days ahead for Colleges, Universities of State | | Akshay Azad
Jammu, Jan 23: Tough days are in store for all Colleges including Polytechnics and Universities in Jammu and Kashmir as Rashtriya Uchataar Shiksha Abhiyaan (RUSA) is likely to replace University Grants Commission (UGC) for funding and would only grant performance based funds from coming financial year.
The funding pattern to colleges and Universities under RUSA will be on 90:10 ratio basis (Center : State), and funds under RUSA will only be sanctioned to those institutions, which would achieve the year wise targets, fixed in plan.
Sources informed Early Times that State plan under RUSA was in the process of compilation and was likely to be tabled before the meeting of State Higher Education Council (SHEC). "The meeting of Council was scheduled to be held on January 22, but due to engagements of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chairman of the Council, same was postponed", sources said, adding that once the SHEC would approve the State plan for Higher Education, same would be submitted before Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Encouraging privatization of Higher Education, sources said, as per RUSA scheme the state would be free to mobilize private sector participation (including donations and philanthropic grants) through innovative means, limited to a ceiling of 50% of the state share.
An official pleading anonymity said that the norms set up under RUSA were very tough and at the same time, all the colleges, Polytechnics and Universities would also have to execute reforms in higher education. "Year wise targets will be fixed by every college and University and same will be uploaded by concerned authorities in MIS system", sources said, adding that same would be monitored by Union Government.
They further said that there would be administrative reforms, academic reforms, examination reforms on part of Colleges and Universities, which would have to be implemented by the Colleges and Universities. "If authorities will fail to achieve the targets, no fund will be released", sources said.
They further said that commitment by state and institutions to certain academic, administrative and governance reforms would be a precondition for receiving funding.
"Funding to the state will be made on the basis of critical appraisal of State Higher Education Plans (SHEPs). SHEP should address each State's strategy to address issues of equity, access and excellence", they informed.
The State Higher Education Councils (SHEC), sources said, will have to undertake planning and evaluation, in addition to other monitoring and capacity building functions.
They further said that the UGC schemes such as development grants for State universities and colleges, one time catch up grants would be dove tailed in RUSA, but the individual oriented schemes would continue to be handled by UGC.
"The funding will be provided for Government aided institutions for permitted activities, based on certain norms and parameters", sources said, adding that the state wise allocations would be decided on the basis of a formulaic entitlement index which would factor in the population size of the relevant age group, GER and Gender Parity Index(GPI) across categories, state expenditure on higher education, institutional density, teacher student ratio, issues of access, equity and quality and excellence in higher education.
Sources further disclosed that the allocation of funds would also be dependent upon performance of the state and its demonstrated commitment to the reforms agenda.
"The yardstick for deciding the quantum of funds for the states and institutions under RUSA comprise the norms that reflect the performance in key result areas; access, equity and excellence", they said, adding that access, equity and excellence would to be the main thrust areas.
In order to be eligible for funding under RUSA, state will have to fulfill certain prerequisites towards reform process which include academic, sectoral and institutional governance reforms, sources said, adding that once eligible for funding under RUSA, the state will receive funds on the basis of achievements and outcomes. |
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