Introduction to higher education, Evolution of Higher Education System in India and Regulatory and Policy Framework Structure of Higher Education in India

Introduction to higher education: -

Higher education provides people with an opportunity to reflect on the critical, social-economic, cultural moral and spiritual issues facing humanity. It contributes to national development through the dissemination of specialized knowledge and skills. It is, therefore, a crucial factor for survival. Being at the apex of the educational pyramid, it also has a key role in producing teachers for the educational system Higher Education is a key element in the demographic dividend and that it intends to make optimum utilization of human resources specifically in the age group of 15-95 years.

The formal education system can be categorized into three, namely primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Tertiary education is a wider term it is higher education plus vocational education. According to the perspective of the NET paper-I focus is on higher education

Secondary education begins to expose students to the varied roles of science, humanities, and social sciences and to vocational streams. This is also an appropriate stage to provide children with a sense of history and national perspective and give them opportunities of understanding their constitutional duties and rights as citizens. Board of Secondary Education plays the main role in importing this education. Elementary or primary education adopts a child-centred approach. It continues up to 14 years. 

There are three principal levels of qualification in higher education.  

1.     Undergraduate level leading to bachelors'

2.     Postgraduate level leading to master’s degree

3.     Research level leading to PhD. Fellowship, or Post-doctorate 

Evolution of Higher Education System in India 

The origin of education in India can be traced to the Vedic age. Our ancient literature, namely Vedas, Brahman as, and Upanishads revealed the highest knowledge to mankind through our ancient rishis. 

1.     During the Gupta period India became a centre of higher learning with Nalanda (all branches of knowledge), Takshila (study of medicine), and Ujjain (Study of astronomy) among others.

2.      During the advent of Buddhism Sarnath University became a great centre of learning to study Buddhism. Ajanta was also a great place of learning to study Buddhism. Ajanta was also a great place for learning art, architecture, and painting. Indian society thrived and its economy also dominated the world under this kind of education system.

3.     Mughal education system consisted of primary and secondary schools and even colleges. Colleges were established at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Delhi, and other places. The education system based on Hindu Philosophy also existed side by side.

4.      In 2006 Singapore China India Japan, and other nations announced a proposed plan to restore and revive the ancient site as Nalanda International University.

REGULATORY AND POLICY FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA:-

Education is in the concurrent list where both central and state governments can legislate.

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA

While the centre coordinates and determines the standards in higher and technical education, school education is primarily the responsibility of the state. The key policymaking agencies for higher education are as follows.

1.      Central government: - It lays down the national Policy on Education. It provides grants of the UGC and establishes central Universities/Institutions of national importance in the country. It is also responsible for declaring an educational on the recommendation of the UGC.

2.     State government: - many states have also set up councils and advisory boards to provide guidelines for the proper functioning of higher education institutions in the states. State councils for higher education coordinates the roles of government universities and apex regulatory agencies in higher education within the state. 

3. Central advisory board of education (CABE) was set up for coordination and cooperation between the union and the states in the field of education including policymaking

APEX LEVEL BODIES:- There are eight Apex Level Bodies (Regulatory Bodies/Research Councils) under the Department of Higher Education, which are responsible for higher education in India. These bodies can be broadly divided into two categories 

(i) Regulatory Bodies and 

(ii) Research Councils. 

REGULATORY BODIES:- There are three regulatory Bodies- 

University Grants Commission, All India Council for Technical Education, and council of Architecture – to regulate higher education in India.

Also, read about:

Key Developments of Modern Education System