Yashpal Committee Report
The reports published by the Yashpal Committee in 1993 and 2009 have had a considerable impact on shaping the nature of education in India. Led by the eminent scientist, Professor Yashpal, these reports have articulated a vision for transforming the Indian education system, and have been the basis for several path-breaking reforms of that system. The Yashpal committee’s reports and recommendations have provided a vision of a learner-centric and inclusive framework appropriate for facilitating holistic development and preparing learners for the future. In 1993, The first report of Yashpal committee was titled “Learning Without Burden” and was the first comprehensive study of the shortcomings of our education system; and the second report of the Yashpal committee, and was titled “Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher education.” Both reports have changed the conversation of education in India. In addition to contributing to the conversation of education in India, the Yashpal Committee Report on Higher Education happens to come under one of the important topics for UPSC IAS and covers a significant area of syllabus for the General Studies paper-2. This article on the Yashpal Committee UPSC provides a descriptive account of Yashpal committees recommendations, including university role, privatization, curriculum reforms, etc. which can be crucial for the upcoming UPSC Prelims and Mains examination.
About the Yashpal Committee Report on Higher Education in India 2009
The Yashpal committee was constituted in 2009 by the Department of Human Resources Development(MHRD), the Govt of India. The Committee was established to study the activities of the UGC and AICTE and assess their role in higher education implementation in India. The Committee was then extended under the direction of eminent Professor Yash Pal “to advise on the renovation and rejuvenation of higher education in India.”
Key Points of the Yashpal Committee Report 2009
Clarified the need for a holistic view of education that integrates disciplines, recognizes learnings from various historical perspectives, places value on critical thinking regarding education with a view to improve quality of education in India.
Remarks on a University
The committee makes clear in the problem areas related to the functioning of universities, including the erosion of autonomy, blatant commodification of education and de-skilling of education. A connection should occur within teaching and research centers, as teaching and research are a part of academic work and none are more important than the other.
Deemed University Explosion
The committee has seen an explosion of Deemed Universities in recent years. The committee has provided that no institute get deemed status until new guidelines are created.
Separation of IITs and IIMs
To permit IITs and the IIM to become full-size universities, the Commission recommends widening the scope of these Institute to include the study of humanities and literature.
Declining Academic Role of Universities
The Committee strongly recommended that researchers, graduates and graduate teachers meet. The Committee favors undergraduate training conducted with the affiliated colleges located in university campuses. The students need to be able to meet with the scientists.
Resistance to Commercialization of the Higher Education
The committee expressed displeasure with the intention of the government to abandon education in India and to thereby privatize education. The committee is against private universities established simply to turn a profit and to act like the family business even while offering education.
Need for National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER)
The Committee recommended forming the National Higher Education and Research Commission (NCHER). By adopting legislation in parliament, the Committee recommended the establishment of NCHER. It had a Chairman and seven boards of directors. The Chairman and members of the Board should, in consultation with leading academics across India, be identified by a committee composed of the Prime Minister, Opposition leader and Chief Justice of India.
Foreign Universities
The committee noted a significant delay in the annual approval of university grants and jobs. It has only recommended the disbursement of subsidies for the period of the scheme to avoid this delay.
Key Recommendations of the Yashpal Committee Report on Higher Education in India 2009
Advocated for the establishment of a National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) to provide consistency in governance, higher educational pedagogy, and conjoin further education policy areas.
• Committee has stated the importance of giving educational organizations more independence and academic freedom.
• It stated that opportunities should also be given for trends to lead program selection as well as a greater say in admissions, hiring, and administrative decisions.
• The committee also recommended the abolition of regulators, like the UGC and AICTE.
• It suggested to set in place stand-alone institutions to carry out regulation of higher education.
• The committee emphasized retaining quality faculty.
• It recommended fair pay, working conditions and faculty development opportunities.
• The committee also encouraged research and innovation in higher educational institutions.
• It recommended using research parks, centres of excellence, as well as private sector collaboration, and industry partnerships for research.
• The committee acknowledged the gaps in higher education and that there is a demand for new universities and vocational centres to address the demand for education.
• The committee reiterated the need for equality in higher educational access.
• It suggested affirmative action programs as well as scholarships and financial resources for inclusion.
• The committee also reiterated the need for digitisation and technology in education.
• It suggested that education is in need of e-learning platforms, online courses and ICT tools for modernization.
• The committee also recommended governance reform and reform of financial management of higher educational institutions.
• The committee also highlighted the responsibility of institution to society.
• It followed this up with recommendations for community engagement and outreach, as well as having students involved in service activities.