a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to open colleges under the National Higher Education Campaign;
(b) if so, the number of colleges proposed to be opened during the last three years and the current year;
(c) if so , the details thereof;
(d) if not, whether the Government is considering to formulate any scheme in this regard; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(Dr. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)
(a) to (e): Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of the Department of Higher Education, is under implementation since 2013. RUSA seeks to improve the overall quality of existing State higher educational institutions by ensuring their conformity to prescribed norms and standards and adoption of accreditation as a mandatory quality assurance framework; correcting regional imbalances by facilitating access to high quality institutions in rural and semi-urban areas; providing adequate opportunities of higher education to socially deprived communities; promoting inclusion of women, minorities, SC/ST/OBCs and differently abled persons to ensure equity.
RUSA provides assistance to States for creation of Model Degree Colleges (MDC) in Educationally Backward Districts and New Colleges (Professional & Technical) based on the felt needs of the States concerned. The proposals for construction of such Colleges are required to be included in the State Higher Education Plans (SHEPs) of the States/UTs concerned and duly appraised and approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) of RUSA for availing the Central share of project assistance. So far, a total of 60 MDCs and 29 New Colleges (Professional & Technical) have been approved under RUSA.
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