Knowledge commission wants to hike higher education enrolment

University College in Mangalore hosts first stake holders meeting

 
Addressing the first stake holders meeting organised by the Karnataka Knowledge Commission in association with Mangalore University here on Wednesday, he said the Commission was set up in September 2008 to transform Karnataka into a vibrant knowledge society and to build excellence in educational system to meet the challenges of 21st century. It aims at creation of knowledge and promotion of knowledge application in agriculture, rural development and health.

“Everyone has knowledge in society. The collective knowledge must be disseminated. Knowledge devices must be bridged,” he said.

Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof K M Kaveriappa said 21st century is a knowledge era.

The general enrollment ratio to the higher education in the country is only 10 per cent. While the world average is 23 per cent.

To increase the enrolment ratio, there is a need to increase the number of universities and colleges.

To make the enrolment ratio 20 per cent, the number of universities must be increased to 700 in the country and colleges to 40,000.

He urged the Knowledge Commission to recommend for making value education, awareness on environment and civic rights compulsory for the BEd and DEd students as teachers mould the future citizens of the country.

Yoga and meditation must be made compulsory in the primary and secondary level. Many of the students drop out from school. There is a need to give them knowledge on rural education technology to manage small holdings. Rural agriculture technology must be taught to the students at the school level, Prof Kaveriappa said.

He said there is a need to inculcate reading habit among the students in the primary and secondary school level and ensure that the local language is part of the curriculum to retain the culture and the regional language.

Commission Member Prof Muniyamma said teaching and research work must go hand in hand. Even at under-graduate level teachers must do research work to enhance their knowledge. Research culture must be developed.

Member Dr Ramachandra Bhatt Kotemane said “human excellence is the mantra of knowledge commission. The commission will support project proposals from the teachers.”

Mangalore University Registrar Prof Chinnappa Gowda was present.

What stakeholders have to say?

“There is a need to create an ambience for the students to enjoy learning. Education which is holistic, socio economic, spiritual where they are concerned of their fellow beings must be introduced.”— Prof Jacintha D’Souza, Principal School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya.

“There is a need to create friendly atmosphere in the college. Many students have inhibition to come forward and speak. There is a need to build confidence in them by providing better exposure.” — a lecturer from Besant Women’s College.

“Political will is missing in the implementation of the recommendations of various commissions. Knowledge Commission must give direction to the government on education. What the commission visualises the education sector in the next 10 years is important than the recommendations of the Commission. The Commission should see that the Karnataka University Act is being implemented in the State with regard to the autonomy to universities. The Commission should also focus on undergraduate courses, improving the teachers skills and finding out whether qualified teachers are being recruited in the colleges.”—FUCTAK President Prof A M Narahari.