CPI slams govt. over move to weaken Higher Education Council

The CPI has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of deliberately trying to weaken the State Higher Education Council.

In a statement on Wednesday, party State secretary G. Eswaraiah described it as “regressive and dangerous,” warning that it could render the council ineffective.

Recalling that the council had been established in May 1988 during the tenure of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao to strengthen academic standards and ensure proper monitoring of higher education. He noted that successive governments had maintained active engagement with the council, unlike the present administration. He alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister N. Lokesh had not held discussions on higher education issues, or met the council leadership, indicating official neglect.

The CPI leader stressed that any reforms in higher education should involve consultations with academicians, professors, and students, and expressed concern that dismantling the council without such dialogue could adversely affect lakhs of students.

Mr. Eswaraiah warned that weakening the council could open the door for increased control by private and corporate institutions. He said the body played a key role in granting approvals to colleges based on set norms, and diluting its authority might allow substandard institutions to operate.

The CPI leader demanded that the council remained an autonomous body to ensure transparency, accountability, and quality in higher education.