Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: Even because the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 mandates accreditation of all larger training institutes (HEIs) by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) underneath the University Grants Commission, many establishments in Odisha are struggling for compliance.
According to UGC’s State evaluation report of accreditation, amongst 1,025 diploma and 72 PG schools in Odisha, NAAC has to date accredited a meagre 281 schools (each autonomous and normal). Out of those accredited schools, 201 had legitimate accreditation until December 31, 2019. Of them, 177 schools (88 computer) are authorities and government-aided, and 24 schools (12 computer) are unaided and self-financed schools.
The remaining 81 that are affiliated to varied universities, had not opted for re-accreditation. While 9 of those schools are underneath Berhampur college, 11 are underneath BPUT, 5 underneath FM college, 8 every underneath Maharaja Bhanjadeo University and Rama Devi Women’s college, 12 underneath Sambalpur college and the best 28 underneath Utkal college.
Among 20 public universities together with technical varsities, at the moment, NAAC accreditation of Utkal, Berhampur, Ravenshaw, Sambalpur universities, BPUT, Rama Devi and Shri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya has lapsed. But the colleges are in several levels of making use of for re-accreditation. While Berhampur college might be going through the NAAC group quickly, Utkal might be submitting its self-study report back to UGC.
A NAAC grade is legitimate for a interval of 5 years and non-accreditation can deprive the establishments of Central grants by the UGC underneath the Rashtriya Uchhattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). NAAC grading is necessary after six years of inception of a HEI or passing out of two batches of scholars.
Academicians say the COVID-19 outbreak delayed the re-accreditation means of the present accredited HEIs. However, they worry that NAAC’s resolution in 2017 to alter its analysis course of to on-line will make it tough for the autonomous and remaining schools to go for the accreditation. Odisha has 32 autonomous schools.
As per the brand new analysis system, NAAC will document 70 per cent information of universities and schools on-line and the remaining 30 per cent by way of peer group (assessors) visits.
Under this, all HEIs must have correct web sites with all of the required data for NAAC analysis. If Higher Education division sources are to be believed, round 60 computer of HEIs in Odisha both do not need web sites or websites not up to date with legitimate data.
“While private HEIs appoint consultants to create and maintain websites, government institutions do not have that luxury. For accreditation, the HEIs should speak to NAAC through their websites. The problem with Odisha’s HEIs is that they are yet to take digital evaluation seriously,” stated a college member of BJB College, requesting anonymity.
While RUSA mandated NAAC grade for all HEIs within the nation by 2022, the NEP-2020 prolonged this deadline to 2030. After two years of pandemic, the State authorities has now sought data from the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) on the standing of HEIs that are accredited and must be accredited.
Vice-chairperson of OSHEC Ashok Das stated the State authorities had began a programme for mentoring 100 to 200 establishments yearly to assist them go for NAAC analysis with funds from World Bank.
Besides, UGC launched Paramarsh scheme to do the identical job. However, the tasks couldn’t be carried out because of COVID outbreak. “The work has started now and post-summer, many colleges and universities will start preparations for NAAC evaluation,” he stated.
The OSHEC additionally began educational audit of HEIs 4 months again to assist institutes realise their strengths and weaknesses and take corrective measures which is able to assist them face NAAC. It has to date accomplished audits of 6 establishments together with Rama Devi, Ravenshaw, Gangadhar Meher universities, BJB and Prananath autonomous schools.
