JOIN USThe government appears keen on fast-tracking the process of improving the quality of higher education in Karnataka as the State budget for 2015-16 has listed some announcements on these lines.
The allocation for higher education was, however, increased only marginally from Rs 3,880 crore in the current financial year to Rs 3,896 crore in 2015-16.
The Jnana Prasara scheme envisages better learning outcomes among students and overcoming teacher shortage to achieve high quality syllabus in all subjects and at all levels.
A Centre for Overseas Education will be set up under the Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) to globalise education in the State. Each institution will get scientists and academicians as consultants. As part of the Smart-KEY (Karnataka Education Yardstick), ICT infrastructure will be provided at higher education institutions in a phased manner.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has been given Rs 40 crore for ‘Abhyasa’, the scheme to uplift academically weak students.
Then there is the ‘Swavalambane’ scheme that aims to encourage entrepreneurship and skill development. It has been given Rs 10 crore. In each university, 15 per cent more seats will be given to students from outside that institution.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced ‘Vignana-Sugnana’, a scheme to promote science education by introducing science courses at graduate and postgraduate levels. The ‘Sahabhagitva’ scheme is for community participation in government polytechnics.
Under a special initiative called ‘Hirime-Girime’, Rs 10 crore will be given for infrastructural needs of institutions which have completed 100 years, 75 years and 50 years. The University of Mysore has been granted Rs 50 crore for completing 100 years.
6 new medical colleges
The government hopes to start new medical colleges at Kalaburagi, Gadag, Koppal, Karwar, Chamarajanagar and Madikeri in 2015-16, notwithstanding the concerns of staff shortage raised by an inspection team of the Medical Council of India (MCI).