Smriti Irani asks states to keep an eye on sub-standard institutes

New Delhi: Concerned over mushrooming of institutes that lack standard and faculty, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani today asked the states to keep a watch on such institutes and supported a ‘know your college’ drive. At a meet of the state higher education secretaries here, she asked them to monitor such Institutes to ensure that they conform to the prescribed standards. [caption id=“attachment_1575417” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Smriti Irani. AFP[/caption] The Minister also supported a ‘know your college’ drive whereby it would be possible to get the details of colleges on the website, thus helping students to make correct choices, said a statement issued by the Ministry. Officials said the Minister also emphasised the states to identify projects which would enhance higher secondary and technical education at the state level and execute them without delay. With increased number of students, especially those from the Northeast, migrating to different parts of the countries for higher studies and opportunities, she laid stress on maintaining a harmonious relations between them and the locals. Special steps were being taken by the Ministry to meet needs of higher education of students from the Northeast in the form of collaborative efforts with premier institutes of the country, Irani said. The HRD Minister sought help of the states to create an enabling environment for education of children in backward areas, minorities, women, weaker sections and tribal zones. She asked the states to revisit the Right to Education Act in the light of their experiences, the statement said. PTI