Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Nov 8: Former Speaker and Higher Education Minister, Mohammad Akbar Lone today stated that he was under tremendous political pressure for not lifting the moratorium on establishment of new B.Ed colleges in the State.
Confessing before EXCELSIOR, Mr Lone stated, “politicians affiliated with different parties had been exerting pressure on me from all quarters to curb the move to lift moratorium. These politicians, who have vested interest in continuation of this moratorium, had joined hands to scuttle this move to further liberalise the education sector”.
“However, I have vowed not to succumb to these political pressures and intend to introduce reforms in the Education sector”, he hastened to add.
Advocating setting of more private institutions including B.Ed colleges in the State, the Minister said, “like the rest of country, it is our moral duty to provide quality institutions in the State for the benefit of masses. Why should we restrict ourselves from setting up new education institutions, when there is dire need for these institutions in several areas of the State”.
Giving vent to his feelings, he said, “it is my personal opinion that there should be no ban on opening of new Colleges provided they render quality education in the State”, adding, “there are different agencies further to monitor the functioning of these institutions”.
“Higher Education Department in association with Universities, monitors the functioning of these colleges on regular basis. Any institution, which fails to comply with the laid down guidelines can be de-affiliated or even blacklisted”, he added.
Warning politicians, who are supporting the existing moratorium on B.Ed colleges to suit their means, he said, “we shouldn’t allow exploitation at the hands of few persons and permit the continuation of this ban”, adding, “Government should encourage opening of all institutions whether it is Engineering, Medical or even University level.”
Vowing to take this fight to the higher quarters, Mr Lone remarked, “soon, I shall be holding meeting with Governor N N Vohra and shall brief him about the designs of these politicians”.
The State Cabinet on September 19 had deferred the proposal of the Higher Education Department about lifting of moratorium on the establishment of B.Ed colleges in view of difference of opinion among the Ministers and a Committee headed by Chief Secretary was constituted to look into various aspects to the issue and make recommendations.
Source pointed out that the Cabinet had failed to come to consensus on lifting of moratorium as some of the Cabinet Colleagues were also running BEd Colleges in different areas of the State.
In view the difference of opinion, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah constituted a committee headed by Chief Secretary to look into various issues involved in the proposed lifting of moratorium on the opening of new BEd colleges. The committee comprised of Secretary Higher Education Department, Secretary General Administration Department and Vice-Chancellors of Jammu and Kashmir Universities.
Sources stated that though the committee had been directed by the Cabinet to finalize recommendations within a period of one month, it had held only one meeting so far.
Commenting on the status of Committee, Secretary Higher Education Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmed said, “the Committee had held one meeting and discussed the issue related with the moratorium. After holding few meetings, the Committee would submit its recommendations”.
It may be noted that though BEd is not an essential qualification for recruitment of teachers for imparting education from 9th to 12th standard. However, the State cannot afford to remain the only one of not having BEd as essential qualification for the teachers working in High and Higher Secondary Schools.
Even the Committee formed at the level of State Universities has strongly advocated making BEd mandatory for school teachers and once the recommendation is adopted, the State will require additional good quality institutions running BEd courses.
“Keeping in view the requirement of introducing BEd for entry into the Government service for the post of teacher particularly in secondary standard, the Higher Education Department finds it imperative to open more colleges”, sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that at present there are 140 BEd colleges in the private sector in J&K with 74 in Jammu province and 66 in Kashmir valley.
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