Bill to free education from politics passed

Updated on: Saturday, December 24, 2011

The West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011, that was dubbed as an attempt to free the state's education system from political control, was passed in the state assembly on Friday. In doing so, the government chose to ignore an opposition demand for further discussion on the bill by a select committee, but opposition leader Surjya Kanta Mishra said they wouldn't oppose the ordinance for the present.

The bill seeks to do away with a direct government role in the university vice-chancellors' appointment, leaving it to a three-member selection committee. The bill, however, laid down the grounds over which a VC can be removed that include his political association. The VC, however, will have little role in the pro-VC (academic)'s removal which will rest on the chancellor or the governor.

It also makes provisions for 22 ex-officio members for their induction in the university governing bodies. The members include non-teaching staff, too. The lower bodies accommodate students (both postgraduate and undergraduates) but they have no role to play in the highest decision-making bodies unlike earlier. The bill will be effective in 13 of the state's 22 universities.

State education minister Bratya Basu, said: "I believe the bill is ethically and technically correct." To questions on whether the bill is in sync with successive commissions formed by the Centre on education, he said: "It is. Even the Yashpal Commission (in 2010) had advocated for more autonomy to the universities. The bill reflects it."

The over three-hour debate saw a rare admission of 'mistakes' done in the past from opposition leader Mishra: "There always remains scope for betterment. We've tried in our time. There were failures and successes. The ordinance (passed earlier) had some flaws. We were hoping these would be rectified, instead they are now turning VCs into CEOs," he said. "The Yashpal commission says ex-officio members (in the decision-making bodies) can be disruptive," he said.

"If a college student can elect MLAs, why should they be denied a chance to have their say in colleges and universities? You are leaving out former students from the decision-making bodies. At the same time, you are acknowledging their role by forming a mentor group (with former students) to chart out Presidency University's future. If you dream of turning Kolkata into London, you should also take note that only yesterday 1.5 lakh alumni of Cambridge University voted for their chancellor's election. Why will we not learn from them?" Mishra said.

Times of India

Bill to free education from politics passed

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