The Hindu Business Line : Govt stresses on need to ensure access to loans for students

Having included higher education in the revised offer made by India on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the Government has released a consultation paper for drawing up a roadmap for a regulatory framework with transparent rules and a stringent accreditation mechanism that would protect the interests of students.

Stating that the estimated global trade in higher education is to the tune of $30 billion annually, the consultation paper says that a viable financing model, with a mix of public and private participation, has to be put in place so that the cost recovery is possible through suitable tuition fees.

There is also need to ensure access to loans for students in order to remove the financial constraints faced by higher education institutions. The paper lists a number of issues that need to be considered while putting in the regulatory framework.

They include examination of potential areas for expanding education services in India and whether the country is in a position to meet these demands internally. The other issue to be considered is whether foreign education providers (FEPs) would be allowed in a phased manner after domestic reforms are in place or not at all. And, if allowed, what should be the way in which the FEPs would be delivering services in India - through a joint venture or a wholly owned subsidiary.

The respective roles of the University Grant Commission or the All India Council for Technical Education and that of the regulatory body in the home country of the FEP also would be required to be defined.

It also raises the issues of how liability and student welfare should be handled in cases involving foreign educational institutions. Another consideration would be the definition of higher education. India has received requests to expand the coverage of higher education to include both post-secondary technical and vocational education services and other education services. Also there is need for the removal of present market access limitations, such as fees, to ensure that they do not lead to charging capitation fees or profiteering etc. The consultation paper proposes further deliberations on this issue in order to reach a decision.

It also proposes to examine whether negotiations under the GATS could be used as an opportunity by India to attract investment in higher education and also explore export markets and to identify the barriers being faced by the Indian educational institutions in opening campuses abroad.

More Stories on : Education | Policy

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page