The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has asked that it be given the authority to award degrees to students.
"Our Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) are currently affiliated to various state universities. As a result, we are unable to function properly, which in turn compromises the quality of education. RIEs should have the authority to grant degrees to students," said NCERT director Hrushikesh Senapaty.
The HRD ministry is currently discussing this issue on priority, Subhas Chandra Khuntia, Secretary, School Education and Literacy, MHRD confirmed.
Khuntia also said that going forward, the National Achievement Survey (NAS) will become an annual survey in future. The NAS is currently carried out once in three years.
The NCERT director also said that the council deserves the Institute of National Importance status considering its contribution to the field of education, research, skill development, teacher training and various other sectors.
Speaking at an event celebrating the 56th Foundation Day of NCERT, Senapaty highlighted the issues faced by RIEs.
"One institute caters to five to ten states. RIE Bhubhaneshwar is in charge of nine states. We have very limited resources. Ideally, every state in the country should have these model RIEs," he said.
Citing instances, Senapaty said that the RIE Shillong, which took over two years to start functioning, could not introduce the semester system since it failed to conform with the rules of the University it is affiliated to.
Currently, there are 74 institutes that have 'Institute of National Importance' status by Acts of Parliament, which allows them to award degrees. All Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMs) fall in this list.
Edited by Blassy Boben