Dy CM bats for high standards in eduucation

Exhorts VCs and registrars to shoulder the responsibility; asks university authorities to spend government funds properly for the purpose Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari on Sunday exhorted the Vice-Chancellors and registrars to shoulder the responsibility of improving educational standards and get back the past glory by curbing drugs and ragging and related problems in universities and hostels.

Stating that contract lecturers’ services would be regularised and their salaries be increased on receiving a report, he said Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had allocated Rs 420 crore for strengthening the facilities and infrastructure.

Addressing a meeting to formulate an action plan for universities in the State, he asked the authorities to spend funds in proper manner in the varsities and fill up 1,061 posts in the first phase besides setting up CCTV cameras in these localities and in key locations on the campuses to put an end to the problems.

Srihari, while expressing concern over drug peddling and students becoming victims, suggested to take necessary steps by setting up CCTV cameras, biometric system for attendance and having tie-up with noted foreign universities to improve the quality of education. Stating that Chandrasekhar Rao was giving adequate funds and seeking to improve the standards in the education by filling up vacant posts, he asked the Vice-Chancellors and registrars to take steps for filling up 1,550 posts.

As the Chief Minister had already given nod, varsities could fill up posts as per norms, he said, adding that a decision on contract lecturers would be taken soon. A decision with regard to regularisation of their posts and increasing their salaries would be taken on receiving a report, he said.

Stating that a decision on the appeal of nonboarders for seeking time up till July 23 for writing exams would be announced after a meeting, he said accommodation would be provided to new students in hostels. He expressed happiness that the varsities were able to see the increasing strength of SC and ST students.

Srihari asked the Vice-Chancellors to focus on PhD admissions without any politics or influence and other research courses for innovative ideas and to get accolades from foreign universities. Osmania University and other varsities played a key role in the statehood movement and should now focus on research and better educational courses that would fetch lucrative jobs to the students, Srihari suggested.