New Delhi: The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has set up a panel of academic experts to advise the government to convert the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in to a university. As per sources, NCERT could alternatively be awarded the status of deemed university. Further, sources told that the NCERT may soon offer degrees as a centrally-funded university under a proposal to upgrade India’s apex school education policy agency, half a century after its birth.
Moreover, sources informed that the panel is headed by Professor Goverdhan Mehta, former Director of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Mrinal Miri, Former Indian Council of Philosophical Research Head, is also there in the panel, sources added. Mrinal Miri will evaluate the proposal and feasibility of the project. A source said that the NCERT has the potential to become a top research university. Further, the source added that if the plan takes off, this could be a perfect golden jubilee gift for NCERT.
The NCERT was incepted in 1961. It has been the country’s top policy making agency on school education, research and pedagogy, since its inception. As per sources, the absence of the tag of a university hurts NCERT’s ability to collaborate with top global universities and research centers. The failure to award degrees has hindered the NCERT’s growth, sources added.
