18 UGC-funded central universities introduce choice-based credit system

Representational image. AFP[/caption]"The University Grants Commission has reported that 18 central universities funded by it introduced CBCS both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Other central universities are in different stages of implementation of CBCS," Minister of State for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria said in Lok Sabha during Question Hour.He said the UGC has said it has been constantly persuading the universities to introduce academic reforms like introduction of semester system, CBCS and grading, to bring about qualitative improvement in higher education in the country.Katheria said all state Ministers of higher and technical education endorsed the credit framework for skills and the choice-based credit system at a meeting here in January.The UGC would also conduct eight regional workshops from 20 March to 16 April so that all the universities can be prepared and assisted in the implementation of CBCS, he said.Replying another question, Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha said under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, central funds were released to the state governments and UT administrations and they decide the degree of devolution of funds to the local bodies, including for the sector of elementary education.Raising a supplementary, BJP member SS Ahluwalia alleged that the West Bengal government has not been releasing central funds given under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme to schools, leading to strong protests from members of Trinamool Congress, ruling the state.The Minister, however, said the central government has no role in how much and where a state government would distribute the funds under the scheme.PTI