Key parliamentary select committee recommends abolition of UGC To be replaced with new Commission

• Should comprise 11 members appointed by the President

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

The special select committee to look into developing higher  education has recommended the abolition of the University Grants Commission  (UGC) and replacing it with an independent “National Higher  Education Commission” which is to be enacted by a new legislation.  

Chairman of the Select Committee Minister Wijeyadasa  Rajapakshe told journalists that the committee recommended that the  National Higher Education Commission should comprise 11 members who are  appointed by the President with prior approval of the Constitutional  Council. The members of the Commission should be those who have achieved  eminence in respective fields such as academia, professional services  and management. The commission should comprise four sub-committees  namely state university committee, non-state university committee,  vocational education institutions, and subcommittee on quality  assurance.  
The select committee has recommended the establishment of  universities which will be public-private partnerships and revamping the  administrative system of state universities by casting responsibility  for finance, good governance, accountability and transparency while  preserving their autonomy. The establishment of virtual universities is also  recommended.  

Another recommendation is the introduction of a mixed  evaluation, where students will be evaluated on the basis of both  examinations and continuous assessment.  

The select committee which has also focused on early  childhood education and primary /secondary education has further  recommended setting up bodies to monitor early childhood education  institutions and all private schools.