June 25: Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal announced an ambitious reforms for the higher education system. Sibal unveiled a string of proposals at legislative and policy levels to be initiated in his first 100-days of work. Recommendations of Yashpal Committee and National Knowledge Commission report would be looked at to form an autonomous authority for higher education, he said. The minister also proposed formulating a law to prevent educational malpractices. "This includes practices like capitation fees, ragging and non-adherence to prospectus," said Sibal. The other proposals being mooted include: establishing of a tribunal to settle educational disputes and interest subsidy on educational loans taken for professional courses by the economically weaker sections. A new policy on Distance Learning will also be formulated. 

At the outset, the proposals aimed at overhauling the higher education system seems altruistic, but how far will Sibal succeed in implementing the sweeping reforms in 100 days remains to be seen! a