Question : GER IN HIGHER EDUCATION

(a) whether the Government is working on classification of universities and colleges in terms of quality, infrastructure and financing support they get from the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether such classification will achieve the target of 30 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education by 2020; and

(d) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in the rural regions, remote and hilly areas especially for SC, ST, OBC and other minority sections of the society, State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) & (b): No, Sir. However, University Grants Commission (UGC) makes a distinction between universities and colleges which are eligible to receive grants from the UGC under Section 12B of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 and those which are not. In addition, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), grades universities and colleges based on the quality of their academic programmes, physical infrastructure, governance, financial position etc.

(c): Does not arise.

(d): The Government has launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishment of one model degree college in each of the 374 identified educationally backward districts(EBDs) having Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) lower than the national GER. Most of these districts are backward districts including districts in rural, remote and hilly areas. 62 of these districts are also identified as Minority Concentration Districts.