The University Grants Commission (UGC) is working on a new higher education policy, which envisages a mandatory aptitude test before students get admitted in any college.

A preliminary draft of the policy has made Open University or distance education courses compulsory for those who do not sail through the aptitude test. “The test is meant to improve the quality and results of the government-owned colleges,” the draft states.

At present students do not have to take any test to get enrolled in most of the government colleges. The UGC is formulating the policy inserting various new provisions into it to uplift the quality of education in the university level.

After three interactions with stakeholders from regional and central levels, the Commission has formulated the preliminary draft that has also proposed categorising the academic institutions in three groups based on their academic performance and facilities and fixing the fee structure accordingly.

Similarly, it envisages formation of a Quality Assurance and Accreditation Board, which will monitor the colleges and providing certificates based on their performance. In accordance with the new policy, the government will have to allocate a minimum of 10 percent of its total education budget for university education , which is eight percent now.

The final draft of the policy will be formulated within three months after collecting suggestions from stakeholders and experts. It will come into an effect from fiscal year 2014/15. “We are in the final stage of formulating the new higher education policy as the existing policy did not ensure quality education in the higher levels,” said UGC Chairman Ganesh Man Gurung.

The first higher education policy that came into effect in 1988 has not been changed so far. A year ago, the UGC had formed five thematic committees to collect suggestions from stakeholders in its effort to bring changes in the existing policy. Representatives from Education Ministry, Finance Ministry, National Planning Commission, universities, colleges, teachers’ organisations and leaders have given input into the new higher education policy.

source: the kathmandu post,18 August 2013