SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, May 6: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the state may have to suffer losses in the form of deprivation of central grants under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) or even a shutdown.
Notably, several plans that will soon begin in-state colleges under the New Education Policy 2020 including dual courses will be done by listing colleges as per their NAAC grades. This makes it mandatory for colleges to take accreditation from NAAC from the Centre.
Keeping this in mind, the State Government will constitute an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in the state. Apart from all the colleges, this cell will also be set up in the Higher and Technical Education Department at the state level, which will provide technical and financial support to the colleges to get accreditation from NAAC.
Talking in this regard, Additional Chief Secretary K K Khandelwal at the Department of Higher and Technical Education said, “As per a report from NAAC, Jharkhand has around 308 first-class colleges in Jharkhand, which are eligible for NAAC’s accreditation process. So far, however, only 101 institutions have taken accreditation from NAAC.”
However, as per sources that do not wish to be named, if HEIs located in Jharkhand do not get accreditation from the NAAC within three years, action will be initiated to shut them. The state government may be taking this step on the instructions from the Center.
In the past, grants from RUSA were discontinued if they were not recognized by NAAC, but now, along with the grant, the institute itself may have to close its doors. Meanwhile, institutions whose NAAC accreditation may soon end or has already ended have been directed to apply for accreditation soon.
Notably, of the 10 government universities in Jharkhand, so far only five universities have received accreditation from NAAC. According to an estimate, about 60 percent of the institutions in Jharkhand have not yet taken accreditation from NAAC. Of these, 183 are government and aided institutions.
In Jharkhand, Kolhan University had received a C grade in its last review from NAAC that was valid till May 24, 2021. As per sources, another NAAC accreditation is due in KU within the next few weeks. Similarly, Vinoba Bhave University Hazaribagh received a B grade and was recognized by NAAC till March 16, 2021.
On the other hand, Ranchi University has received a B++ grade with its recognition valid till May 1, 2022. Meanwhile, the Sido-Kanhu Murmu University Dumka has a C grade expiring on November 1, 2023, and the Jharkhand Rai University has a C grade among private universities and its recognition expires on September 25, 2023.
The only centre government-run Central University of Jharkhand received a B grade and its recognition period is till July 14, 2024.
Notably, NAAC is a part of UGC. The responsibility of this institution is to assess the quality and give grades to universities, colleges, higher education institutions and private institutions across the country. For this, educational institutions apply for NAAC grading after completing their primary preparations on their level. The teams inspect the institutes on behalf of NAAC.
During the inspection, every necessary information is observed in the college including educational facilities, results, infrastructure, the status of students, teachers and employees, facilities available to them, campus environment, placements, and research work among others. On this basis, the NAAC team submits its report. With this, the college is given a CGPA, based on which grades are issued and grants are given by the central and state governments.
