Tailoring of a System that Works Autonomy v/s Accountability
Dr. (Mrs.) Indrani S. Bhaduri
Any educational institution has to be established, sustained and developed with resources by the funding authorities. In most instances it is the state, which does so, though private bodies are also in the arena. Irrespective as to who provides the ‘mullah’, the provider will always and invariably arrange to have a say in the matter of things related to the institution. Having an atmosphere of so-called absolute independence in relation to all aspects of the institution will remain nothing but a distant dream for the governing body. However, by nature, education is based on independent thinking and the propagation of this sense of liberty in all pursuable dimensions. Thus to a large extent a good institution enjoys a sense of independence in pursuing it's objectives and goals.
Any institution by way of autonomy demands
· Independence to determine what's to be delivered, i.e. determine the curriculum, structure their own syllabus transact the same using an appropriate methodology and device a reliable and valid evaluatory mechanism.
· Independence also in terms of who will deliver the goods and at what price, this would involve recruitment of the faculty, determine their remunerations, decide on their promotion etc.
· And finally independence to determine who will be the recipient of the ‘goods’. This will determine the criteria of intake of the students.
Of course autonomy as discussed above is put very simplistically. For who may teach, what may be taught, how it is to be taught and to whom it is to be taught though central and vital is only a part of today's University functioning. After all the composition and functioning of Universities have changed with the changes in the economic and social scenario. In the nineteenth century Universities were small and restricted to a privileged few and affected a miniscule percentage of the population. But the upheaval of the last century has made the Universities relevant to all. In many cases they have become mammoth organizations, which by it are ungainly. Consequently many more aspects have come in to play in the world of University than mere academics.
Autonomy in functioning is of two kinds, the internal and the external. The external autonomy is primarily related to non-interference in day-to-day running of the University. As far as academic aspects are concerned many universities still enjoy this substantially and if this has been lost it is mostly a case of self-surrender. However, there is always interference in the administration aspect of the University. Restrictions/ Scrutiny/Auditing of the finances and budgets of the University will of course be there from the funding authorities but interference in matters like recruitment of teaching and non teaching staff, their working patterns, their wages, perks and privileges, disciplining and punishment etc. have been increasingly interfered by the funding authorities and bureaucracy.
As far as the internal autonomy is concerned it largely lies in the heads of the academic bodies in the institutions. The independence of the teachers, scholars, researchers to pursue academics with a healthy degree of independence is not only expected but should be taken that the zeal of liberty do not impinge upon the overall goals of the society and also in guise of independent thinking teachers do not indulge in propaganda. After all the aim of higher education is to prepare the generation next to be able to use their intellect independently. This autonomy therefore is largely in the hand of the scholars who are part of the system.
Universities and centers of higher education is part of the community, society and the state and therefore has certain responsibilities towards them. The rightful discharging of these responsibilities is a must and demand for the same by the society/community is not unreasonable. Therefore the institutions of higher education have to account for its activities to the society in general.
As mentioned earlier, the world of academics has grown tremendously. This growth is always at a great cost on the public exchequer. Therefore there is a great responsibility upon those entrusted with the utilization of the resources and finance to use it wisely. This encompasses.
· Economy
· Efficiency
· Effectiveness
Economy primarily relates to utilization of the resources in least possible quantity with proper budgeting and careful monitoring. Efficiency relates to utilization of the given budget in maximal output by proper supervision and management. Effectiveness relates to gaining the primary objective for which the institution is made.
To who are these Universities accountable to – the state? Obviously as they determine the next budget and hold the purse strings. But in doing so the Universities particularly, the highest office holders in the office shouldn't sacrifice the priorities of the institution or trade the liberty of the members, staff and students. The vice chancellor and his team have to ensure that the state and bureaucracy is not allowed to tamper with the basic fabric of the institution. This is the real challenge for the 'Kulpati'. In this endeavor he requires the support and cooperation of his entire 'Kul' – teachers, staff and students.
Accountable to the faculty and staff? Of course but it is also the other way round. Recent history of higher education has seen increasing incidents of irresponsibleness from the two quarters. The trade union mindset of the teachers' bodies has resulted in the dilution of dedication amongst other and has brought a bad name to the institution. The faculty has to be accountable to the institution in discharging their duties.
Accountable to the students ? By all means, after all they are the very reason for their existence. The institution by being accountable should by no means be adjustable to the unnecessary and often unjustifiable demand of the student bodies. Many an institution and universities have been burdened with a large body of so called student who use the premises of the University and the excuse of education just to spend some time. With subsidized education as in our country this has become an epidemic. The political bodies in the country have identified those 'willing' student as a big chunk of their workforce. Consequently these student bodies have started exercising power on the functioning of the universities. Their demands are often unreasonable and mostly at loggerheads with the needs of the genuine students. Authorities in the university should resist any interference from this quarter.
At the risk of repeating the obvious it should be mentioned that autonomy and accountability are the two sides of the same coin and cannot be exchanged independently. The art is to strike the right balance. Any extreme in one side will jeopardize the balance and tilt the edifice on which higher education stands.
Dr. (Mrs.) Indrani S. Bhaduri
Any educational institution has to be established, sustained and developed with resources by the funding authorities. In most instances it is the state, which does so, though private bodies are also in the arena. Irrespective as to who provides the ‘mullah’, the provider will always and invariably arrange to have a say in the matter of things related to the institution. Having an atmosphere of so-called absolute independence in relation to all aspects of the institution will remain nothing but a distant dream for the governing body. However, by nature, education is based on independent thinking and the propagation of this sense of liberty in all pursuable dimensions. Thus to a large extent a good institution enjoys a sense of independence in pursuing it's objectives and goals.
Any institution by way of autonomy demands
· Independence to determine what's to be delivered, i.e. determine the curriculum, structure their own syllabus transact the same using an appropriate methodology and device a reliable and valid evaluatory mechanism.
· Independence also in terms of who will deliver the goods and at what price, this would involve recruitment of the faculty, determine their remunerations, decide on their promotion etc.
· And finally independence to determine who will be the recipient of the ‘goods’. This will determine the criteria of intake of the students.
Of course autonomy as discussed above is put very simplistically. For who may teach, what may be taught, how it is to be taught and to whom it is to be taught though central and vital is only a part of today's University functioning. After all the composition and functioning of Universities have changed with the changes in the economic and social scenario. In the nineteenth century Universities were small and restricted to a privileged few and affected a miniscule percentage of the population. But the upheaval of the last century has made the Universities relevant to all. In many cases they have become mammoth organizations, which by it are ungainly. Consequently many more aspects have come in to play in the world of University than mere academics.
Autonomy in functioning is of two kinds, the internal and the external. The external autonomy is primarily related to non-interference in day-to-day running of the University. As far as academic aspects are concerned many universities still enjoy this substantially and if this has been lost it is mostly a case of self-surrender. However, there is always interference in the administration aspect of the University. Restrictions/ Scrutiny/Auditing of the finances and budgets of the University will of course be there from the funding authorities but interference in matters like recruitment of teaching and non teaching staff, their working patterns, their wages, perks and privileges, disciplining and punishment etc. have been increasingly interfered by the funding authorities and bureaucracy.
As far as the internal autonomy is concerned it largely lies in the heads of the academic bodies in the institutions. The independence of the teachers, scholars, researchers to pursue academics with a healthy degree of independence is not only expected but should be taken that the zeal of liberty do not impinge upon the overall goals of the society and also in guise of independent thinking teachers do not indulge in propaganda. After all the aim of higher education is to prepare the generation next to be able to use their intellect independently. This autonomy therefore is largely in the hand of the scholars who are part of the system.
Universities and centers of higher education is part of the community, society and the state and therefore has certain responsibilities towards them. The rightful discharging of these responsibilities is a must and demand for the same by the society/community is not unreasonable. Therefore the institutions of higher education have to account for its activities to the society in general.
As mentioned earlier, the world of academics has grown tremendously. This growth is always at a great cost on the public exchequer. Therefore there is a great responsibility upon those entrusted with the utilization of the resources and finance to use it wisely. This encompasses.
· Economy
· Efficiency
· Effectiveness
Economy primarily relates to utilization of the resources in least possible quantity with proper budgeting and careful monitoring. Efficiency relates to utilization of the given budget in maximal output by proper supervision and management. Effectiveness relates to gaining the primary objective for which the institution is made.
To who are these Universities accountable to – the state? Obviously as they determine the next budget and hold the purse strings. But in doing so the Universities particularly, the highest office holders in the office shouldn't sacrifice the priorities of the institution or trade the liberty of the members, staff and students. The vice chancellor and his team have to ensure that the state and bureaucracy is not allowed to tamper with the basic fabric of the institution. This is the real challenge for the 'Kulpati'. In this endeavor he requires the support and cooperation of his entire 'Kul' – teachers, staff and students.
Accountable to the faculty and staff? Of course but it is also the other way round. Recent history of higher education has seen increasing incidents of irresponsibleness from the two quarters. The trade union mindset of the teachers' bodies has resulted in the dilution of dedication amongst other and has brought a bad name to the institution. The faculty has to be accountable to the institution in discharging their duties.
Accountable to the students ? By all means, after all they are the very reason for their existence. The institution by being accountable should by no means be adjustable to the unnecessary and often unjustifiable demand of the student bodies. Many an institution and universities have been burdened with a large body of so called student who use the premises of the University and the excuse of education just to spend some time. With subsidized education as in our country this has become an epidemic. The political bodies in the country have identified those 'willing' student as a big chunk of their workforce. Consequently these student bodies have started exercising power on the functioning of the universities. Their demands are often unreasonable and mostly at loggerheads with the needs of the genuine students. Authorities in the university should resist any interference from this quarter.
At the risk of repeating the obvious it should be mentioned that autonomy and accountability are the two sides of the same coin and cannot be exchanged independently. The art is to strike the right balance. Any extreme in one side will jeopardize the balance and tilt the edifice on which higher education stands.
1 comment:
A lucid commentary
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