JOIN USAcademy to produce made-to-order teachers mooted
The Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) has proposed to set up an independent and premier institute for teachers, to deal with the problem of poor quality of faculty in colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning.
The idea of a Karnataka Academy of Higher Education (KAHE) is to create a cadre of professional and highly capable teachers.
With the profession of teaching set to grow greatly in future and, measured against global and international standards, KSHEC feels education in Karnataka can no longer afford to languish in its low standards.
There is a need for teachers who are able to integrate skills – teaching, research, administration, curriculum, design, professional innovation, institutional networking, project design, implementation and management, along with personal skills of multi tasking.
Recruitment in colleges and universities as lecturers or teachers requires one to pass the National Eligibility Test (NET). However, no training takes place after that.
Rigorous training will be provided at the Academy, explains Prof S C Sharma, Vice-chairman, KSHEC and Vice Chancellor, Tumkur University.
The proposal
The KAHE is likely to be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 550 crore in Belgaum on 200 acres, with a capacity to train 500 teachers annually.
The Academy will have a director equivalent in stature to a Vice-chancellor, a dean equivalent to a senior professor and registrars for various departments of administration. There will also be an executive council consisting of the director and eminent educationists, academicians and other distinguished persons.
Infrastructure
There will be 50 subject-wise departments like general education, medicine, engineering, agriculture, arts, culture, sports and other interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary subjects to name a few, digitised libraries and broadband facilities that will be accessible round the clock, state-of-the-art research and tele-training facilities and stadiums.
Pilot projects
The KSHEC plans to start two pilot projects soon after government approval. One of the two projects is to be started in Tumkur University at an initial cost of Rs three crore, according to executive director and member secretary of KSHEC, K M Kaveriappa.
“We submitted the proposal to the State government about three months ago and are waiting for its approval,” said Prof Sharma.
Principal Secretary to Higher Education Siddaiah told Deccan Herald, “The proposal for the Academy will have to go to the Cabinet for approval. We will have a clear picture in a week’s time”.