Now, state to grade colleges
Education dept is set to start an academic audit system similar to that followed by National Assessment & Accreditation Council
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Tuesday, February 08, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2011020820110208031500169e0cbbb2)
The state government has decided to launch a comprehensive process for rating arts, science and commerce colleges on the lines of the system followed by National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Officials of the education department said that Academic & Administrative Audit (AAA), which is currently in a pilot stage, would be started in June. It will cover 900 colleges — government and private — across the state. Interestingly, unlike NAAC, which accredits colleges and universities once in five years, the education department will carry out the said audit every two years.
“We will rate colleges once in two years to make sure there is no decline in the quality of education in the state,” a senior official said. While NAAC issues grades such as A and A+, the education department will rate colleges on a scale of 1 to 3.
“Currently, AAA is being carried out in selected government colleges on a pilot basis. In June, it will be extended to all colleges,” the official said. “Teams, each comprising three members, will carry out inspections at campuses. The audit will help us know not only the state of colleges, but also lapses in the education system.”
Experts from Mysore University and varieties in Gujarat have helped the education department prepare an extensive survey form that will be given to principals prior to campus inspection. Colleges will have to provide a range of information in the form. Apart from basic details like staff strength, student-teacher ratio and available facilities, they will have to reveal whether they have formed anti-ragging cells.
“Minutest details will be sought to rate arts, science and commerce colleges. Even aspects like absence of an official website will be taken into account while giving accreditation,” the official said.
Receiving accrediation is of great importance to educational instututes. Varities, in fact, boast accrediation from NAAC to attract quality students and seek funds from the government. Experts, however, say that colleges often resort to window dressing to impress academic auditors. At times, they get away with this because agencies like NAAC conduct inspections only once in four or five years.
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Tuesday, February 08, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2011020820110208031500169e0cbbb2)
The state government has decided to launch a comprehensive process for rating arts, science and commerce colleges on the lines of the system followed by National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Officials of the education department said that Academic & Administrative Audit (AAA), which is currently in a pilot stage, would be started in June. It will cover 900 colleges — government and private — across the state. Interestingly, unlike NAAC, which accredits colleges and universities once in five years, the education department will carry out the said audit every two years.
“We will rate colleges once in two years to make sure there is no decline in the quality of education in the state,” a senior official said. While NAAC issues grades such as A and A+, the education department will rate colleges on a scale of 1 to 3.
“Currently, AAA is being carried out in selected government colleges on a pilot basis. In June, it will be extended to all colleges,” the official said. “Teams, each comprising three members, will carry out inspections at campuses. The audit will help us know not only the state of colleges, but also lapses in the education system.”
Experts from Mysore University and varieties in Gujarat have helped the education department prepare an extensive survey form that will be given to principals prior to campus inspection. Colleges will have to provide a range of information in the form. Apart from basic details like staff strength, student-teacher ratio and available facilities, they will have to reveal whether they have formed anti-ragging cells.
“Minutest details will be sought to rate arts, science and commerce colleges. Even aspects like absence of an official website will be taken into account while giving accreditation,” the official said.
Receiving accrediation is of great importance to educational instututes. Varities, in fact, boast accrediation from NAAC to attract quality students and seek funds from the government. Experts, however, say that colleges often resort to window dressing to impress academic auditors. At times, they get away with this because agencies like NAAC conduct inspections only once in four or five years.
