POLICY ON EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION : POLICY

  Higher Education has become the primary instrument for transformation of social and economic systems for the benefit of the people in 21st Century. Major changes are being brought about in the higher education system all over the world by innovative methods of teaching and learning, introducing information technology and emphasising knowledge generation and employment opportunities.

1.2.   Government of Tamilnadu devotes special attention for strengthening the higher education system in the State to respond to the emerging demands of the new century. Initiatives of the Government of Tamilnadu are focussed on consolidating the existing educational infrastructure and provision of balanced attention towards technological education as well as high quality arts and science programmes. At the same time the needs of the weaker sections of the society including women, rural population and socially and economically backward communities are taken care of.

1.3.   The total budget allocation under Demand No.17, Education is Rs.4648.95 crores. Of this, the budget allocation relating to the department of Higher Education is Rs. 812.79 crores which works out to 17.48 %.

1.4.   It is a matter of great satisfaction that the graduates of the technical institutions of Tamilnadu have shown outstanding performance in the industry, both in India and abroad. Many of them have become major entrepreneurs.

1.5.   The State has the second largest intake capacity in the country in engineering and polytechnic education. The intake capacity of engineering colleges has reached the level of 35,230 and that of the polytechnics has reached the level of 47,500. The Policy of the Government is to consolidate this capacity and improve the quality of the output from these institutions, rather than increasing the number of new institutions. For this purpose, the Government will initiate programmes for upgradation of the engineering curriculum and syllabi at frequent intervals in order to capture the new developments in the technologies of the market place. The Government will pay special attention to train qualified teachers to meet the critical shortage of teaching faculty in most of the technical institutions. The Government will encourage closer interaction between industries and the educational institutions for their placements during training or after graduation.

1.6.   In order to introduce complete transparency in admission, this Government has introduced a novel single window system of admission of students to engineering colleges in Tamilnadu during 1997-98 and streamlined the admission procedure on the basis of merit of the students. The planning and execution of the single window system of Engineering admissions has been successfully executed by the Anna University from the year 1997-98 onwards. There has been a whole hearted appreciation from the candidates, parents, public and the press.

1.7.   Traditionally Tamilnadu has held a pre-eminent position in the world in a number of fields of basic sciences, mathematics, literature and economic sciences. The scientific contribution of the academicians and researchers from Tamilnadu has received world wide appreciation. Their participation in some of the most respected scientific meetings have brought considerable prestige to the State.

1.8.   At the same time, the Government is aware of the recent declining trend in quality of education in arts and sciences in the country. Many of the postgraduate programmes in arts and sciences, even in prestigious institutions have failed to attract the brightest students. This has become a matter of great national concern. Recognising this trend the Government wishes to undertake special initiatives to maintain its leading role in the field of arts and sciences in the coming years. For this purpose, special attention will be devoted to revamp and restructure the postgraduate arts and science programmes in Arts and Sciences in the colleges and Universities of Tamilnadu.

1.9.   Similarly, the Government would examine the feasibility of creating atleast one Centre of Excellence in each of the major Universities of Tamilnadu in selected fields of arts and sciences, which are of special relevance to the State. The guidelines for identification of institutions and special areas for creating Centres of Excellence will be formulated by the Government.

1.10.   The Government would also examine the feasibility of taking necessary steps to attract the most talented students from the first degree level to undertake advanced postgraduate education and research. This would cover all important field in Arts and Sciences. Initially this will be tried in six thrust areas Bio-sciences, Material Sciences, Linguistics, Computer Sciences, Economics. This will later be extended to other important disciplines.

1.11.   In the undergraduate programme, the Government would ensure that all students, before they obtain their first degree, would have undergone a minimum of 150 hours of computer training to enable them to use computers with confidence, to apply the computer knowledge to their specific discipline and enable them to secure employment after their graduation. Initially this will cover all the 60 Government colleges in the State and gradually extended to aided colleges and private institutions.

1.12.   The Government would expand the career-oriented courses for the benefit of the students in arts and science colleges to enable them to acquire knowledge and experience to secure placements after their graduation. The structure of their curriculum and syllabi would be reviewed and updated in order to incorporate sufficient flexibility to include the career-oriented courses in their first degree programmes.

1.13.   It is a matter of great pride that Tamilnadu has the largest number of accredited institutions. As a policy, the Government encourage every higher education institution in the State to opt for assessment and accreditation either by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in the case of arts and science colleges and Universities or by National Board of Accreditation (NBA) in the case of technical institutions. In order to meet the criteria for accreditation, institutions are encouraged to undertake development of new curriculum and improve the quality of teaching, learning and administration. The Government would provide support for orientation of faculty and administrators of these institutions to achieve high accreditation grades.

1.14.   In order to bring out the special talents of students in the fileds of Sports and Games, the Government encourage colleges and Universities to take special measures in strengthening their physical education capabilities.

1.15.   The use of Internet is now becoming prolific in the State and the Universities are coming forward to take advantage of the recent developments in Information Technology. Consequently, all Universities will be linked through a common website in which each University will have its special identity. The expectations of the students and public to be aware of the programmes and activities of the Universities will be met by displaying relevant information in their individual websites. This will include information regarding their governance, affiliated colleges, courses offered, qualifications, examinations, admission policies, research grants, publications, library information etc.

1.16.   Suitable initiative has been taken to link all the libraries of the Universities to provide for easy access to their educational resources such as journals, books, CD-ROMs and important reports. Since the cost of books and journals is increasing at a rapid rate, it will be possible for every student and faculty member in any University to take advantage of the collections available in other libraries. After the Internet backbones become available, Universities will have special facility to speedily access to the resources of other libraries anywhere in the world and acquire them at a very rapid rate. The University libraries would be made accessible not only to the academic community, but also to the public at large, in due course.

1.17.   Taking due advantage of the recent advances in information technology, a large number of Universities the world over is offering Internet-based courses. It is creditable that many Universities in Tamilnadu have taken the unique initiative to offer Internet-based courses to meet the requirements of other institutions in the State as well as to provide distant learning opportunities through the use of Internet. The Government of Tamilnadu encourages the higher educational institutions in the State to enter into collaborative arrangements with advanced institutions abroad in promoting internet-based educational programmes in highly specialised areas. The Government would encourage academic institutions, which would be able to promote marketing of their educational programmes in other parts of the country as well as abroad.

1.18.   The recent years have been witnessing higher proportion of women enrolling themselves in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in arts and sciences as well as in engineering and management. Presently, about 40 and 45% of the student strength of the postgraduate programmes in the State and about 50 and 55% of student strength of undergraduate programmes are women. The record of achievement of women students in terms of medals, prizes and ranks is also very high. The traditional inhibition in providing employment opportunity to women has also been declining considerably. It is also a policy of the State to promote the participation of women at all levels of higher education, especially the levels that require special talents, knowledge and skill. The Government will consider providing special incentives to women students who wish to pursue doctoral studies.

FINANCIAL OUTLAY

Under Demand No:17, Education, the total outlay for Higher Education is Rs.812.79 Crores of which Rs. 17.97 Crores are for Plan Schemes . It works out to 3.76% of the State’s total budget on Revenue Expenditure (i.e) Rs. 21564.87 Crores.

COLLEGIATE EDUCATION

3.1   The Collegiate Education Department from its formation in 1965 has taken various steps for development in the field of Higher Education in keeping with modern trends. The Higher Education scenario in Tamilnadu has undergone a remarkable change in the recent years on account of the positive measures introduced by the Government. At present, there are 385 Arts and Science Colleges, 22 Colleges of education, 9 Oriental Colleges, 4 Physical Education Colleges and 2 Schools of Social work totalling 422 Colleges functioning under the Directorate of Collegiate Education. This includes
20 self-financing colleges started in the State during 1999-2000.

3.2.   WOMEN’S EDUCATION

3.2.1.   One of the Thrust Areas identified for the year 2000-2001 is improvement of Higher Education for Women. In 1980-81, the strength of women students of Higher Education Level was about 64,000. But, during 1999-2000 the enrolment of Women students at Higher Education stood at 1,83,000 which stands as a proof for development of Higher Education for Women in Tamilnadu. During the year 1998-99, 2 new Government women Arts Colleges have been started in the socially and academically backward rural areas of Nilakottai and Sivaganga. In the above 2 colleges highly Job Oriented Courses such as Computer Science, Electronic Science, Bio-Chemistry, Micro Biology, Nutrition and Dietetics and Tourism Development have been started with a view to make the women students self dependent by getting Job immediately after Higher Education.

3.2.2.   There are 422 Arts and Science Colleges, of which 120 are women colleges. Wherever women colleges are not available, the Principals of colleges located in that area are instructed to admit women candidates upto 30% of the intake. In order to encourage Higher Education among Women students hailing from poor and middle class families the Government are implementing a welfare scheme called EVR Nagammai Scheme under which women students are given Free Education.

3.3   INTRODUCTION OF JOB ORIENTED COURSES

Introduction of more job oriented Vocational Courses in Government colleges with assistance of University Grants Commission is the important plan of the year 2000-2001.

3.4   Information Technology has assumed an important place in Higher Education and the Government of Tamilnadu is also taking all possible steps to provide Information Technology at the grass-root level. At present, Information Technology courses are available in 48 Government Arts and Science Colleges and roughly 1446 students are undergoing this course.

3.5.   ACCREDITATION OF COLLEGES BY NATIONAL
ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION COUNCIL

Getting accreditation for more number of colleges from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) during the year 2000-2001 is another milestone in Higher Education. The NAAC, Bangalore is an autonomous institution established under University Grants Commission Act during 1994. This institution awards Accreditation to Arts/Science Education and Physical Education colleges. At present, the Council has accredited 12 Government colleges and 16 aided colleges in Tamilnadu. It is a matter of pride that our State has the largest number of accredited colleges in India.

3.6   GRANTING OF AUTONOMY

3.6.1.   Another milestone in the Higher Education Department is to obtain autonomous status for more number of colleges from the University Grants Commission. In order to give academic freedom to colleges the concept of Autonomous Colleges was implemented in Tamilnadu during the year 1978-79. By granting autonomy the colleges are enabled to frame their own syllabus according to the current needs, set question papers and conduct examinations. These autonomous colleges have their own academic Councils and Board of Studies. This academic freedom given to the colleges facilitate them to revise and modernise the syllabus and curriculum whenever required without approaching the University concerned for approval. Autonomous Colleges offer a large number of Diploma and Certificate Course in addition to conventional degree courses. But, however the degrees are awarded by the University concerned. By getting autonomous status the colleges become eligible for more quantum of University Grants Commission’s assistance. The University Grants Commission has also inspected the present autonomous colleges and they have recommended for continuation of their autonomous status for 5 more years. There are 44 Autonomous Colleges in Tamilnadu which is more than those in any other State in India.

3.7.   FILLING UP OF THE POSTS OF LECTURERS IN
GOVERNMENT AND AIDED COLLEGES

The Teachers Recruitment Board has notified 141 vacancies for filling up the post of lecturers in Government Colleges during 1998-99 under General Direct Recruitment. 98 candidates have been selected for the post of Lecturer in Government colleges. The Government have ordered to fill up 100 vacancies with SC/ST candidates in the post of Lecturers in Government Colleges through Teachers Recruitment Board. 73 candidates have been selected for the post of Lecturers in Government Colleges. The managements of Aided Colleges have been permitted to fill up the vacancies caused by retirement and death during the Academic year 1999-2000.

3.8. SPECIAL COACHING TO SC/ST AND MBC STUDENTS

The students studying in Government Colleges particularly in rural areas belong to SC/ST and MBC find it difficult to get through the University examinations in English, Mathematics and Science subjects. In order to make them fully conversant with these subjects, special coaching by way of remedial classes outside the class hours and at weekends is arranged.

The above scheme was implemented during the year 1999-2000 in 10 Government colleges benefitting 3331 students. A sum of Rs.1 lakh was allocated to implement the scheme in 10 colleges at the rate of Rs.10,000/- for each college. With a view to strengthen this scheme further, the Government proposes to extend the scheme to 20 Government Colleges during the academic year 2000-2001 with an allocation of Rs. 2 lakhs.

3.9   TEACHERS FACULTY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

With a view to improve the Research activities of the Lecturers working at Government Colleges and to enable them to equip themselves with higher qualifications, teachers are deputed for M.Phil. and Ph.D. Degree with University Grants Commission Assistance in the Ninth Plan period. During the Academic year 1999-2000, 164 Teachers have been deputed to undergo M.Phil./ Ph.D., degree. During 2000-2001 more number of teachers will be deputed for the Teachers Faculty Improvement Programme.