(a) whether the scheme of autonomous colleges is in
operation at present;
(b) if so, the purpose of the scheme;
(c) whether this scheme has been consulted/discussed with
the State Education Ministers and other concerned
authorities;
(d) if so, whether all the States have agreed on the
scheme; and
(e) if not, the nature of disagreement of the
respective States?
THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERED TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 38 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2000 BY SHRI
INDRAJIT GUPTA REGARDING SCHEME OF AUTONOMOUS COLLEGES.
(a) : Yes, Sir.
(b) and (c): The scheme of autonomous colleges was evolved
with a view to providing academic freedom to colleges in
designing their curriculum, evolving new methods of
teaching, research and learning, framing own rules for
admission, prescribing own courses of study and conducting
examinations and thus promoting innovation and higher
standards in tertiary education. The scheme has been
discussed with Universities/State Governments.
(d) and (e): The principle of autonomous colleges is
embodied in the National Policy on Education 1986 (as
modified in 1992) which has been approved by the Parliament.
Efforts are being made to increase the number of autonomous
colleges in the country.