Question : DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION BY AICTE

(a) whether the objectives envisaged in the constitution of All India Council for Technical (AICTE) have been achieved since its inception;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the measures taken by AICTE for the proper development of technical education in the country;

(c) whether AICTE is taking/has taken initiatives to tackle the problem of technical education;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the amount allocated for the purpose during 2004-2005, State-wise;

(e) the total number of youths benefited by it or likely to be benefited by such conditions and the progress report thereof;

(f) whether AICTE has any system in vogue to monitor its own functioning and also the institutes recognised by it; and

(g) if so, the details thereof alongwith the instances wherein provisions were violated by their own officials/recognised institutions and action taken against such violations?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)

(a) & (b): To ensure coordinated and integrated development of technical and management education and maintenance of standards and for the purposes of performing its function under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act, 1987, the AICTE has been taking a number of steps and thus the process of achievement of objectives outlined in the AICTE Act, 1987, is a continuous one. The AICTE insists on fulfilment of the prescribed norms and standards by the approved technical institutes so as to ensure quality of delivery and undertakes annual inspections of the institutions for appraisal. As a result of the steps taken by the AICTE technical education facilities in the country have grown substantially.

(c) to (e): The AICTE has identified issues, concerns and challenges with regard to the technical education. With a view to address the issues of access and equity, and inconsistent quality, the AICTE has taken initiatives to simplify the approval process, to make holistic appraisal of the institutes, to develop GIS based institutional monitoring system, National Programme for Faculty Development through EDUSAT-National Network, ‘Student-Voice’ and ‘Faculty Forum’ on the AICTE website, increased Institute-Industry interface etc. An allocation of Rs. 54.00 crores was made during 2004- 05 (Plan) for various schemes. However, no State-wise allocation is made. The funds were utilised by AICTE to assist the approved institutes having a total initial student intake of over 6 lakhs.

(f) & (g): The Council is a 51 member body which considers all questions those coming up before it relating to its functioning. The principal mechanism for monitoring the functioning of institutes approved by AICTE is through annual inspections conducted through Expert Committee visits to monitor compliance of the prescribed norms and standards. The AICTE exercises utmost vigilance in implementation of its schemes and reported instances of violation of provisions are looked into suitably.