Bangalore University Task Force

Status of Teacher Education that led to the Constitution of Task Force

Prior to the formation of Task Force, Mr. Karan Kumar H., Academic Council Member, Bangalore University, submitted a report on Status of Teacher Education under Bangalore University to the Vice Chancellor during February 2012, based on a survey conducted between December 2011 and February 2012. Apart from infrastructure flaws, the survey recorded gross non-adherence to rules concerning the way academic programmes and admissions were conducted. Also, 80 per cent of the colleges are not conducting academic programmes according to procedures. After interactions with Local Inquiry Committees (LICs), it was found that neither the students nor the staff were present during the LIC’s visit.

In the survey period, Karan collated information from seven experts, including Dr Sameer K Simha (retired lecturer), Dr R Nagarajaiah and Dr Gururaj Karajagi (Chairperson of Academy of Creative Teaching).

Extracts of the survey report:

Currently, there are about 99 B.Ed. & 7 M.Ed. Colleges enrolled under Bangalore University & majority have the approval of NCTE (National Council of Teacher Education) under their regulations. In all, during recent years, nearly 10,000 admissions are happening for B.Ed. education annually.

Below are the gross irregularities / misdeeds in the conduct of academic activities and conduct of examination by majority of B.Ed. Colleges under Bangalore University:

1. Not many colleges have an independent building or a reasonable building for B.Ed. Course. Most of the Colleges are running their B.Ed. program in common with other academic programs & school education in the same building.

2. Dedicated rooms for Principal & academic staff are very rare. Also, space is inadequate for class rooms, library, laboratories & computer centre

3. Few colleges have admitted ineligible candidates (minimum of 50% marks in their Graduation) to B.Ed. program.

4. Irregular / improper maintenance of admission register

5. Without attending required classes (minimum of 85% attendance), students are allowed to take examinations

6. Internal Assessment (IA) marks are being awarded without evaluating IA Papers and in some cases even without conducting tests also. Academic records like test records & test papers with respect to award of IA marks are not maintained properly.

7. Appointment of inefficient, ineligible & irregular Principals & Librarian by many colleges

8. Many colleges are running the program with either part-time and/or lesser number of teaching staff (As per NCTE norms & University’s approval, it is mandatory to have 1 qualified Principal & 7 teaching staff against an intake of 100 B.Ed. students)

9. Some of the full-time teaching staff are found to be working in 2 or more colleges

10. No right attention or encouraging programs or specific arrangements for slow learners in most of the colleges.

11. Not getting approval of the academic calendar, practical exam time table, process of conduct of examination & list of examiners from the University.

12. At the time of inspection by University committees, in most of the college campuses, neither the students and staff were present nor was any evidence of academic activities witnessed.

13. Majority of the colleges do not have hostel facilities that too when students admitted are from outside the state.

14. Impersonation during theory & practical examinations

15. Absolutely, there are no seminars & workshops held for the benefit of students and staff at these colleges

16. May be because of low admissions of late, many colleges have ignored the academic importance of training their students.

Recommendations: In order to make B.Ed. program offered by Bangalore University more meaningful & transparent.

1. During approval of admission by the University, to check & regulate misuse of provisions made for different category seats / quotas in admission. Ensure strict compliance with admission regulations of the University.

2. To check for shortage in minimum attendance prescribed by the University

3. Colleges should maintain their admission register in accordance to norms & University should publish a directory of B.Ed. admissions for each college annually.

4. Details of Principals & academic staff should also be published by the University.

5. University should recommend the state govt. to institute 5% SNQ (supernumerary quota) so that B.Ed. colleges could admit poor & meritorious students free of cost.

6. With necessary measures, conduct of Theory & Practical examinations should be made more transparent & compliant. Exam Squads should visit colleges to check for compliance to university regulations.

7. Colleges with gross irregularities must be notified in the first place & disaffiliated with stringent action within 3 months for no improvement in academic conditions.

Constitution

Former Vice-Chancellor Dr N Prabhu Dev ordered the constitution of the task force in May, following pressure from various academic quarters to fix the allegations of gross irregularities, malpractices and falling educational standards in teacher education colleges under the University. "The Task Force is authorised to undertake surprise inspection of the colleges to obtain first-hand information regarding the conduct of BEd and MEd courses. It may inspect admissions, attendance, appointments of teachers, internal assessment marks and other aspects," the Vice-Chancellor's order stated.

The academic council that met thrice in July 2012 deliberated, in detail, on LIC (Local Inquiry Committee) Reports of Academic Year 2012–13, including reports of B.Ed. Colleges. With due consent of each and every Chairperson of the LICs, the Academic Council unanimously resolved to set aside all LIC Reports of B.Ed. Colleges for deficiencies and lack of information to grant affiliation for the academic year 2012–13 (the LIC is an internal university committee that is constituted to inspect the academic viability of colleges before granting fresh/renewal of affiliations). The Academic Council also resolved unanimously to additionally request the BU Task Force to take up the responsibility of submitting its recommendations on grant of affiliation or disaffiliation to the university. For the same, it gave the Task Force 3 months time with a direction to submit its interim report on renewal of affiliation / disaffiliation of B.Ed. Colleges for the academic year 2012–13.

This was followed by Karan Kumar and his team paying surprise visits to various B.Ed. and Master of Education (M.Ed.) colleges. During the course of its surprise visits, the Task Force interacted with Principals, Faculty and students of most of the colleges and video recorded the proceedings to show the abject lack of standards in the colleges that were inspected. Several instances of colleges indulging in malpractices were also exposed before the media.

Interim Reports

The Task Force has submitted two reports so far. In August 2012, the first report was based on seven M.Ed colleges under Bangalore University. The report was upheld in the academic council meeting, where it was decided to cancel management quota admissions in these colleges. NCTE issued show-cause notices to the colleges in September 2012.

The second report is the interim report on 99 B.Ed colleges. The report, which has categorised colleges based on the level of compliance with National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms, has listed 23 colleges under the category of ‘colleges with gross irregularities’. Only 12 colleges are found to have satisfactory level of compliance with NCTE rules. Another 20 colleges have been recommended disaffiliation for not having NCTE recognition. The Task Force has also recommended the NCTE that it may initiate the process of withdrawal of recognition of these 55 colleges. As many as 18 colleges, on the peril in terms of compliance, have been given six months time to improve. Admissions for the year 2012-13 have been suspended in these 18 colleges.

M.Ed. Interim Report

PREAMBLE:

Teacher Education is the top most priority all over the world. In India, post-independence, lot of effort has gone in this direction. Various educational commissions, starting from Dr. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar, emphasized the need to prepare good teachers to man our school education. The Kothari Education Commission of 1964-66 in its opening statement said that "The destiny of India has been shaped in her classrooms." The National Policy on Education of 1986 made a mention regarding the importance of teachers in the nation "No Nation can raise above the level of its Teachers." After realizing the importance of preparing efficient, committed teachers to the nation, the Government of India established the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) to uplift and safeguard the quality and standard of teacher education institutions in the country. The hope was unless the B. Ed colleges take the responsibility and challenge to prepare good teachers, it may not be possible to improve the quality of school education.

The expansion of teacher education institutions started from the year 2004-2005 due to the liberal policy of the State Governments and generous outlook of the affiliating Universities. The increase in number of teacher education institutions, particularly in Karnataka, was responsible for diluting the standards of teacher preparation, resulting in low standard in school education. The irony is we have surplus teachers, but they are neither effective nor efficient. Expansion in teacher education institutions gave rise to the silent demand for teacher-educators. Hence some of the affiliated colleges came forward to start M.Ed. programme, the NCTE gave permission to 7-8 colleges to start and run the M.Ed. courses in addition to the B.Ed. programme. Unfortunately, in these institutions both B.Ed. and M.Ed. programmes are managed below the standard, not matching with the NCTE Norms or Regulations of the University.

The Task Force, in its interim report, highlighted the gross irregularities in the institutions, which offer M.Ed. Programme under Bangalore University.

1. Overall, the objectives like preparing Teacher Educators, Educational Administrators, Supervisors and Researchers are not achieved.

2. By and large, the practical exposure to Teacher Training (internship) & Research Work in the form of Dissertation, which is an essential part of the M.Ed programme or acquiring Research Skills, are not achieved.

3. Conducting a minimum of 180 full days (again, a minimum thirty six hours in a week) of Academic Program (excluding the days of examination) in a year is not achieved by most of the institutions. Further, Student Admission Registers & Attendance Registers are not maintained appropriately.

4. Against the norms, under management quota, all M.Ed. institutions are collecting a fee anywhere between Rs. 60,000/- to Rs. 100,000/- per student. An apparent violation of both State Govt Norms & Provisions of NCTE Regulations, as mentioned by the students before the Task Force.

5. Academic staff strength of 1+5 (One HOD / Principal with a Ph.D. & 12 years of teaching experience + five Associate Professors / Lecturers with M.Ed & 8 years of teaching experience) is not achieved in any of the Institutions. In such an event, where is the question of availability of teacher educators who are expected to be available for individual attention, guidance and counselling for the student & teacher throughout the working hours?

6. Most of the Institutions have not obtained approval of their ‘Head of the Department (HOD) / Principal’ of M.Ed.

7. Almost all Institutions, offering M.Ed. programme, have not obtained approval of their teaching staff. Thereby, for an intake of 35 students, the required Staff strength of 1+5 has no approval of the University.

8. Administrative and Support / Assisting Staff are not working full-time on regular basis and also not in the Attendance Register.

9. In most of the Institutions, Staff Service Books / Records are not maintained.

10. In many institutions, Staff salaries are shown to be paid by CASH. Again, the management have neither appointed qualified staff nor paying UGC scale or salary as prescribed/determined by the State Govt. Shockingly, none of the management of the Institutions has made statutory provisions like Provident Fund, Gratuity, Pension and Leave Benefits for its staff.

11. Most of the Institutions have sub-standard academic infrastructure and are not meeting the requirements of NCTE norms with respect to adequacy of infrastructure.

12. In all the Institutions, Library Resources are not maintained as obligated by NCTE.

13. Most of the Institutions do not have a well-equipped education technology laboratory that has a provision for digital resources in teaching, a media lab with TV Camera & ICT equipments as prescribed by NCTE.

14. Every institution offering M.Ed. programme is lacking resources in providing ‘Instructional Teaching’ including adequate furniture, classrooms, laboratories & Books and Journals at Library.

15. Most of the Institutions have not provided sufficient number of toilets for ladies & gents, protected drinking water facility to student & staff.

16. Even cleaning of classrooms, up-keeping of furniture, inadequate equipments at laboratories are not given due attention.

17. More than 70% of M.Ed students have neither submitted synopsis of their dissertation for approval of the concerned nor maintained necessary records during the process/preparation of case study, as revealed to the Task Force during its visit to Dept of Education, BU.

18. Shockingly, as per the discussions the Task Force had with Chairperson, Dean, & faculty members of Dept of Education, BU, more than 70% of the dissertations are ‘PAID dissertations’ as students were asked to and have paid to their staff/management an amount ranging from Rs. 15,000/- to 60,000/-. The curriculum requirements, as prescribed by NCTE, have been completely diluted.

19. In addition, nearly 90% of the dissertations are guided by those staff who are neither qualified nor approved by the University.

The Academic Council unanimously resolved to accept and approve this report and it was decided to cancel the admission of students under management quota in these colleges. Six months' time was also given to these colleges to comply with the shortcomings as stated in the report.

The High Court asked the Academic Council to take a call on the resolution passed in the council in the absence of a quorum. The order was made with reference to the Academic Council meeting on 11 July where it was resolved to place all the local inquiry committee (LIC) reports dealing with BEd colleges under the purview of the task force. This meeting was attended by 32 members, short of three members for the quorum.

In his defence, Task Force Chairman H Karan Kumar said that both Academic Council and Syndicate, in their meetings in March 2006, had resolved to set the quorum for Academic Council meetings as 21 members instead of 35 members according to the existing statutes. "The meeting in question was attended by 32 of the 42 total number members. All 32 have unanimously passed a resolution," he said adding that the High Court has to be apprised of these facts.

B.Ed. Interim Report

The Task Force visited 99 B.Ed. colleges from 02-07-2012 to 30.10.2012. During the course of its surprise visits, the Task Force interacted with Principals, Faculty and students of most of the colleges and video recorded the proceedings and finally categorized the B.Ed. colleges under seven categories:

(1) Colleges with Satisfactory Performance; (2) Colleges with Average Performance with a potential to improve; (3) Colleges with Irregularities; (4) Colleges with Gross Irregularities indulging in off-campus programmes warranting disaffiliation (5) Other Non Functional Colleges either failed to respond or desist to appear before the Task Force; (6) Colleges not having the Recognition of NCTE for B.Ed. (Regular) Programme; (7) Defunct Colleges (Blacklisted earlier by AAC) for Gross Irregularities.

PREAMBLE

In the changing contexts of globalization, education plays a critical role in shaping the competitiveness and therefore intellectual capital and capacity building of a nation. Quality assurance, particularly in the Teacher Education Programme, is a fundamental component of any successful education system. Several national committees/commissions have addressed this problem to integrate higher education with the national objectives and goals. The Kothari Education Commission (1964–66) made recommendations to bring Teacher Education to mainstream of academic life. Colleges of Arts and Science were recommended to introduce an Education Department to encourage students to join Teacher Education Programme. The Chattopadhyaya Committee (1983–85) suggested increasing the length of Teacher Education to five years after Pre University Course, to make it more meaningful and effective. Yashpal Committee Report (1993) observed that the ability of self-learning and independent thinking should be at the core of teacher training programme.

It was in the year 1954 that a first private College of Education was started in Karnataka. Considering higher requirement of secondary school teachers, the Government of Karnataka permitted a few private managements to start colleges of education. Until 1980, the total number of B.Ed. colleges in Karnataka was only 40. At present, there are 375 Colleges of Education in Karnataka; Bangalore University has a major share with more than 100 colleges offering Teacher Education programme. Among these, there is one Government College established in 1972, 12 aided colleges and the rest are unaided colleges started after 2004.

Unfortunately, growth in number of colleges cannot be equated with higher/better quality of services offered. All sorts of irregularities and violation of regulations seem to afflict the system. At the heart of the problem is the "off campus" programme indulged by several colleges. This is a direct offshoot of dwindling student admissions against the sanctioned intake of 100 in each of the colleges.

The Task Force has compiled this report based on the data collected by visiting the colleges and faithfully recording/video recording the data/proceedings, with the sole aim of fulfilling the assigned work as per the University Order. The unanimous observations and recommendations made are with the sole intention of elevating the education services delivery system to a healthy and vibrant level and gaining the confidence of the stakeholders regarding the functioning of the University.

The Task Force unanimously feels that urgent measures are required to bring back the system on rails again. It is sincerely urged that the University to respond positively with urgent action programme and be a leader by example in delivering the assured and promised services to the stakeholders.

Recommendations of the Task Force for Category – I Colleges: Renewal of affiliation shall be granted to these colleges for the academic year 2012 – 13. However, these colleges have to fulfil the recommendations of the Task Force as detailed in the annexure well within the next 6 months.

Recommendations of the Task Force for Category – II Colleges: A conditional renewal of affiliation shall be granted to these colleges for the academic year 2012 – 13. However, on all shortcomings, these colleges have to fulfil the findings & recommendations of the Task Force as detailed in the annexure well within the next 6 months. Failing which, these colleges may not only be penalised with INR 1,00,000/- (payable to the University) but also initiate the process of disaffiliation.

Recommendations of the Task Force for Category – III Colleges: Admission of students to these colleges shall be suspended for the year 2012 – 13. In the meantime, colleges may be given a last chance to improve on their shortcomings, as stated & detailed in the findings & recommendations of the annexure well within the next 6 months. The Task Force shall once again visit these colleges to consider the continuation of affiliation for its B.Ed. programme based on the compliance to the Task Force. Failing to do so, these colleges shall be disaffiliated without further delay. Further, NCTE may also initiate withdrawal of recognition to these colleges.

Recommendations of the Task Force for Category – IV Colleges: Affiliation may be cancelled permanently starting from academic year 2012 – 13 itself, as these colleges are not only non-functional with off-campus students but also allow them to appear for examinations without attending to any of the academic activity. Hence, for these colleges with gross irregularity, NCTE may initiate withdrawal of recognition.

Recommendations of the Task Force for OTHER NON FUNCTIONAL COLLEGES, which either FAILED TO RESPOND or DESIST TO APPEAR BEFORE THE TASK FORCE: (a) In some of these colleges, the ‘college name board’ was not displayed either outside or inside the college premises, (b) these colleges were either locked or completely non-functional during the visit of the Task Force & (c) some of these colleges, instead of co-operating with the Task Force, resorted to stopping and/or trying to manhandle the members of the Task Force. Hence, affiliation may be cancelled permanently to these colleges without any delay. In the meantime, NCTE may also initiate withdrawal of recognition to these colleges.

Recommendations of the Task Force for COLLEGES, which DO NOT HAVE NCTE RECOGNITION: A notice was issued, vide letter dated 12 October 2012, to update on the status of NCTE recognition. These colleges did not respond to the notice issued by the Task Force and hence, affiliation of these colleges cannot be renewed for the academic year 2012-13.

Recommendations of the Task Force for DEFUNCT COLLEGES (Blacklisted earlier by AAC): The Task Force recommends that the results of I Semester theory exams of students from these colleges should not be announced. Further, the students of these colleges should not be allowed to write the II Semester theory examinations. Because, these colleges neither have the affiliation for AY 2011-12 nor have conducted any academic programme to the students till date, these colleges should be disaffiliated retrospectively from AY 2011-12. Hence, renewal of affiliation of these colleges for the academic year 2012-13 does not arise. However, NCTE may also initiate the process of withdrawal of recognition to these colleges.

About B.Ed. Interim Report (TEACHERS OR CHEATERS? - reported in Deccan Chronicle, Bangalore Edition dated 15 November 2012)

The teaching business is no longer a profession in many instances -is one of the most lucrative, with guaranteed returns. Get permission from the State government to run a teachers' college, offer degrees in a package format, and become rich. This is exactly what is happening in a majority of B.Ed. colleges in the city to which BU had granted affiliation.

The B.Ed. task force report has shed light on how colleges are run without students or facilities even though degrees are awarded every year. A common finding is that exams are conducted by flouting all regulations prescribed by the University and NCERT. Most colleges are run in an ad-hoc manner without proper infrastructure like a library or journals. Most of the students are from outside Karnataka and rarely attend classes. Internal assessment is done at the discretion of the management and marks are allotted without conducting practical examinations.

A senior officer in the higher education department said the task force report reflects the state of affairs in B.Ed colleges across Karnataka. "Across the state, a majority of B.Ed. colleges are in a similar position. The State government should be blamed for the present fiasco as it was the government, not BU, that granted permission (to start the colleges) at first without considering the infrastructure and facilities available."

Mr D. Shashikumar, organising secretary of the Private Schools’ Association, agrees that it is high time radical changes were made in the field of teachers’ education. "The teaching profession has lost its significance as it has become the last choice of students. Adding to this is the poor standard of teaching education imparted in our colleges.

We are finding it extremely difficult to find good teachers," he said. "Many B.Ed. students approach even me seeking help to get a certificate easily. They are not ready to teach in class as required by BU regulations. Instead, they are ready to pay money. Most of these students are from neighbouring states. Even the colleges are hand-in-glove with them," Mr Shashikumar said.

K.K. Shenoy, a researcher, says the contents of the report are not news to anyone in the profession. "Whatever is in the report is not new to academicians. The report should become the first step towards streamlining the system," he said.

"Last year, the Karnataka State Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) officials tried to streamline the B. Ed. colleges in the state. The state government strongly stood behind the officials who cracked down on the colleges. The task force report comes at the right time. We hope it will be the first step towards cleaning up the mess. Fact is that B.Ed. degrees are virtually sold in our state and the report may influence the BU as well as state government to reform the whole sector," said the principal of a B.Ed. college.

Chairman of the Task Force Mr. Karan feels that while there is a huge demand for trained teachers across the globe, India cannot take advantage of this because of the poor quality of education imparted in our colleges. "In the last eight years, not less than 50,000 fake B.Ed. degrees have been awarded by Bangalore University. The nexus between the university authorities and private colleges had led to a crisis in the field of teachers' education. A big B.Ed. mafia is active in the state. The need of the hour is a state-level task force to check irregularities in teachers' education. Surprise visits and regular inspections are very important in order to streamline the sector.

Teachers' education is something big. It is not restricted to awarding a degree. It is the biggest work force in all developed countries. Even in India, we will need teachers in big numbers in the coming days to ensure quality education for all. In the next few years, we need at least three crore teachers. But this is not the way to train our future teachers.

The need of the hour is overhauling the whole system. There is a big mafia behind these colleges. Our higher education department should crack the whip against them. We need quality teachers, not untrained ones. One thing I found at the time of my visit to the teachers' colleges is that 90% of them are run alongside nursing courses. I believe most of them are not doing justice to either course. Education and primary healthcare are key factors in the development of a society. So government should at least now act against all the erring institutes." he said.

Report on Practical Examination of AY 2011-12 held from 3 September to 5 October 2012

To verify the work related to practice teaching and the conduct of practical examination, three (3) B.Ed. special squads were constituted by the Registrar (Evaluation) on 28 August 2012. As per the guidance of the Task Force, these special squads visited various B.Ed. colleges & schools attached to them for conducting practical examination between 3 September & 22 September 2012. The Task Force had two meetings with all the three squads on 15-09-2012 & 22-09-2012 and in those meetings, the squad members reported to the Task Force, several irregularities, which they found during the course of inspection of colleges/schools of practical examination.

As a result, the Task Force decided to video record the ongoing B.Ed. practical examination & asked all three squads to have the video recording of irregularities. All the three squads have video recorded many of the irregularities found in conducting practical examination (the video clippings are available with the Task Force). The squads also submitted an interim report/s to the Chairman of the Task Force. The Task Force also video recorded the opinion of the squad members. During the practical examination, on its own, the Task Force also visited a few B.Ed. colleges and recorded irregularities of B.Ed. practical examination. Based on the video evidence of the irregularities found by three special squads, the Task Force has listed 53 colleges with ‘gross irregularities’.

Below are the irregularities that were reported by the squads of Bangalore University:

1. By and large, students from outside Karnataka State have not attended the required academic program to be eligible for B.Ed. practical examination. In fact, none of them were aware of the academic program/requirements of B.Ed. education.

2. Practical examinations were conducted without collecting examination fee from students. Even, the examination/hall tickets were not issued to the students.

3. A lot of irregularities were found in the submission of lesson plan by students, as nearly 75% of the students have not followed the norms of practical examination.

4. Practical Examinations, involving students from the States like Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Bihar, have gross irregularities.

5. Students from outside Karnataka State are attending only the practical examinations (without undergoing practice teaching & criticism lesson planning of nearly 2 months) and are heading back to their respective states, immediately after the practical examinations. Earlier, they were in Bengaluru to just attend their first semester exams during May 2012 and are coming again only to attend the second semester theory exams during November 2012.

6. Majority of outside Karnataka students had absolutely no communication skills to explain their lessons & none of them could speak English (although the medium of instruction is English in all B.Ed. colleges).

7. There were cases of some B.Ed. Colleges engaging teachers, that too from other irregular colleges, as internal examiners to conduct practical examination.

8. Without having external examiners, practical examinations were conducted at various schools (identified for practical examinations by B.Ed. colleges & approved by BU)

9. Very shockingly, many repeaters (of the previous years) have attended the practical examination without even paying their fee to the University and/or having the approval of the University.

10. In all, academic records like ‘Lessons Observation Record’ of students, Teacher’s Observation Dairy, Lesson Plans written by the students for Methods of Teaching, Copy of the Rough Lesson Plans written by the students, Practice Teaching Time-table maintained by the College, List of Practice Teaching Schools & their address, Student Seminar Files, Criticism Lesson Plan Records, Unit Test Records, etc. were neither found nor maintained by most of the B.Ed. colleges and their students.

11. Ultimately, outstation students are asked to come, time & again, only for theory or practical examination for a week or so every semester and thereby, the so-called off-campus program is continued without any hesitation from many of the managements of B.Ed. colleges.

Now, keeping all the above observations, the BU Task Force recommends the following “Further Needful Action (FNA):

1. Those who were absent for practical examination (as per the reports of the special squads) shall be given a chance to take-up their practical examination only during the coming academic year (AY 2012-13). Their results may be declared as ‘Failed’ for the AY 2011-12.

2. Wherever gross irregularities are noted (in all the above listed 53 B.Ed. colleges), practical examination shall be re-conducted, in such colleges, by appointing a panel of examiners drawn from other colleges. If needed, the authorities shall consult the Task Force in appointing a “Panel of Examiners”.

3. The Chairperson, BOE (B.Ed.) has approved the time-table of practical examination & panel of examiners on the day of the examination itself, which is a major irregularity & the Chairperson of BOE shall be asked to explain on such approvals.

4. As the time given by Bangalore University for getting approval of the Chairperson, BOE was 8 September 2012, all approvals of practical examinations beyond this date shall stand cancelled & re-conduct of practical examination shall be ordered.

BU would wait till the task force submitted its final report in October before taking a final call A day after the B.Ed Task Force exposed how nine blacklisted colleges were allowed to conduct practical examinations, from September 3 to 22, despite not receiving clearance on the status of affiliations, Bangalore University (BU) officials said they are not ruling out disaffiliation as a disciplinary measure.

To a question on what action the varsity would take, Vice-Chancellor N. Prabhu Dev said: “The only thing we can do is recommend disaffiliation. They were permitted only to hold theory exams. They were asked not to announce the results even for those.” However, he added that BU would wait till the task force submitted its final report in October before taking a final call.

Meanwhile, Registrar (Evaluation) R.K. Somashekhar said these colleges would not be allowed to hold any further examinations, at least not before the task force report was placed before the Syndicate. “Until that happens, there is no question of allowing these colleges to conduct any exams,” he said. He also denied having given permission to the colleges to conduct practical exams and said: “On September 10, when permission was given, I was in the U.S. It was the in-charge Registrar who signed the order. My name has been dragged in unnecessarily.”

The Deccan Herald on September 26 had reported that the University officials had allowed the correction and announcement of the results of one of the blacklisted colleges. "Exams were held, but by mistake", says B’lore varsity. "Answer scripts of a blacklisted BEd college were evaluated and results were declared, by ‘mistake’." said the Registrar (Evaluation), who has held the Chairperson of Board of Examination (BoE) responsible. However, the marks cards have not been issued, he added.

With regard to other reports that appeared in the newspaper on giving permission for holding practical examinations in the barred colleges, the Registrar (Evaluation) said it was allowed "in the light of an interim order of the High Court of Karnataka," pending the Court’s decisions. The Registrar, however, failed to elaborate on the interim order. The University lawyer told Deccan Herald that she is unaware of it. Reacting to the newsreport that the Registrar (Evaluation) had allowed nine of the 11 barred colleges to conduct practical exams in September, Somashekar denied it stating that he was in the US during the period. "My signatures stated to be on the documents may have been forged," he said. He had also said that the Officer on Special Duty was obligated to sign on the permission letters, in his absence, as the Registrar (Administration) had initiated the permission letters. He added that he was not aware of the exams until the media reported about it.

Ego clashes, corruption and lack of stringent affiliation norms have taken the sheen off BU. Allowing barred colleges to hold exams is the latest in the saga.

Other wrongdoings by Teacher Education Institutions as highlighted by the Task Force

1. Producing forged / tampered mark sheets for getting admissions to B.Ed. & M.Ed. colleges under Bangalore University (to be verified from Academic Year 2004-05 to Academic Year 2012-13).

2. B.Ed. & M.Ed. Colleges of Bangalore University admitting ineligible / bogus (off-campus) students (to be verified from Academic Year 2004-05 to Academic Year 2012-13).

3. Approval of admission of the ineligible / bogus candidates of B.Ed & M.Ed Colleges by Bangalore University (to be verified from Academic Year 2004-05 to Academic Year 2012-13).

4. Admission of students who are irregular (off-campus, mainly from outside Karnataka) to B.Ed. or M.Ed. academic program made by blacklisted colleges / colleges with irregularities, in association with unauthorized agencies / agents, operating within & outside the purview of Bangalore University, by using the logo of Bangalore University.

5. Role of Admission Approval Committee in approving the admission of ineligible candidates to M.Ed. and B.Ed. courses (to be verified from Academic Year 2008-09 to Academic Year 2012-13).

6. Examination and Evaluation malpractices (both practical and theory) during the last 2 academic (AY 2010-11 & AY 2011-12) years.

7. Irregularities in Staff Approval of B.Ed. & M.Ed. colleges by the University (i.e., regular teaching staff working in two or more Institutions illegally) during academic years 2008-09, 2009–10, 2010-11 & 2011-12.

8. Irregularities identified in the conduct of B.Ed. Practical Examinations by B.Ed. colleges, during September – October 2012, like awarding marks to non-attendees, conduct of Practical Examinations ‘without having’ or ‘in absence’ of internal/external examiners, not conducting the practical examination but awarding marks to students.

9. Ineligible Teachers involved in B.Ed. valuation work by the University during Semester Examinations of AY 2010-11 & 2011-12 (January 2011 & December 2012).

10. Irregularities found (including corrupt practices) in awarding Internal Assessment (IA) marks by B.Ed. & M.Ed. colleges.

11. Forged / falsely maintained attendance registers of both students & staff by B.Ed. & M.Ed. colleges during the Academic Year 2011-12. By & large, most of the students have neither attended classes regularly nor the colleges have conducted any academic program but both staff & students are marked with attendance by the college management illegally.

12. Forged / fake / illegally procured (by paying INR 15,000 to 50,000) dissertations were submitted to University by M.Ed. students & further, these dissertations were farcified by ineligible/unapproved guides/staff of M.Ed. colleges during the last 2 years (AY 2010-11 & AY 2011-12).

Legality

When the interim report of the BU Task Force was accepted & approved by the Academic Council and implemented by the University, few M.Ed. colleges filed a Writ Petition in the High Court questioning the powers of the Vice Chancellor to constitute the Task Force and nominating the Academic Council Member to the Task Force. Hon'ble High Court, in its order dated 9 October 2012, upheld the decision of Former Vice Chancellor, Dr. N. Prabhudev to constitute the Task Force on Teacher Education. Also, the Hon'ble Court felt that regulations of the University permit the appointment of Academic Council Member to the Task Force.

Controversy

The B.Ed colleges under the Task Force scanner staged protests against Karan Kumar and the Task Force. The colleges alleged that the Task Force functioned in a manner that was not prescribed in its terms and conditions. General Secretary, Karnataka State Private B.Ed. College Principals and Lecturers Association, said: "The association rejects the report of the Task Force as it is unscientific and undemocratic. Recommending disaffiliation is one thing, but the manner in which the Task Force has carried out its study is not right. How can they trespass colleges, seize documents and approach outside regulatory bodies against the colleges?"

After the 18 July academic council meeting, representatives of various B.Ed colleges stormed into the meeting hall and publicly threatened Karan Kumar with dire consequences.

The agitating B.Ed colleges even boycotted valuation of B.Ed answer scripts, a stir that was eventually withdrawn after acting Vice-Chancellor N Rangaswamy managed to convince them to resume valuation work.

Based on complaints received by students and teachers about malpractices in the second semester BEd examinations that started on 6 November 2012, the Task Force on Teacher Education did visit few theory examination centers for inspection. It identified eight examination centres for malpractices. During its visit to examination centers for inspection, Bangalore University’s examination squad for the ongoing BEd theory exams has reportedly refused to cooperate with the Task Force members. Also, the squad members allegedly threatened the Task Force members of dire consequences and warned them against continuing the inspection. The Task Force has been regularly reporting to the university about the "fraudulent" BEd colleges.

Karan Kumar told Deccan Herald that many of the exam squad members were from the blacklisted BEd colleges. He said he suspected foul play from the University’s end in selection of members for the squad. The university has allegedly been conducting exams for students of colleges that have been derecognised by the National Council for Teachers’ Education. Students appearing for the examinations in several centres have reportedly alerted the Task Force about the rampant malpractice, including mass copying, he said.

A BJP MLC and senior ABVP leader asked the government to scrap the Bangalore University B.Ed Task Force, alleging that it has been targeting and harassing a few colleges. The MLC, Prof. P.V. Krishna Bhat, wrote a letter to Legislative Council chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy, stating that he wanted to raise the issue during the monsoon session. "Principals of many B.Ed. colleges have told me that this task force, headed by Mr. Karan Kumar, is conducting surprise raids on private B.Ed. colleges in the city and is harassing college managements in the name of inspection. The government should interfere immediately and must put an end to this task force," he states in the letter. Prof. Bhat said it is the responsibility of the Local Inquiry Committee to report any loopholes in colleges, and it is the prerogative of the BU Syndicate to act against such colleges, based on the LIC report. Mr. Bhat has alleged that the task force has no legal sanctity and is harassing the B.Ed colleges.

Prof. Bhat’s letter comes as a surprise to many academics, who were pressuring BU to implement the B.Ed task force report which has shed light on the corrupt practices of these colleges. "There may be some technical issues with the B.Ed Task Force, but it is doing a wonderful job. It has done what the Syndicate and LIC could not do for years. It is the ABVP which is in the forefront of all agitations aimed at bringing qualitative changes in the higher education sector. But no one knows why a senior ABVP leader like Prof. Bhat is opposing it," said a senior faculty member of the university.

Events that followed the submission of Interim Reports

During its meeting on 30 November 2012, the Academic Council unanimously accepted the Interim Report of the Task Force on B.Ed. Colleges in total and resolved that the University should disaffiliate all erring colleges as per University guidelines and initiate necessary action as per recommendations of the Task Force.

When the interim report was placed before the Syndicate for its ratification on 12 December 2012, it was unanimously resolved to accept the Task Force report. However, in spite of unanimously accepting the Interim Report of the Task Force on affiliation / disaffiliation of B.Ed. Colleges, the Syndicate also resolved to grant affiliation to B.Ed. colleges (irrespective of their status as per Interim Report of the Task Force), by referring to the LIC Reports that were set-aside earlier. Further, the Syndicate also granted three months' time to the erring colleges to be compliant as per the Interim Report of the Task Force. When asked by press reporters on what the fate of students will be if the colleges failed to comply within three months, acting Vice-Chancellor N Rangaswamy said, "Students will have to risk joining these colleges."

On 10 January, the Karnataka Higher Education Department intervened by issuing a show-cause notice to the University, seeking on explanation on the Syndicate resolution.

Left-wing student organizations, including Student Federation of India, Vidyarthi Janata Dal, Dalit Students’ Federation, National Students’ Union of India and Democratic Youth Federation of India, have welcomed the State Government’s move to question the Bangalore University (BU) Syndicate resolution on the report of the Task Force on B.Ed. colleges.

BU Registrar (Administration) T D Kemparaju on 16 January submitted a four-page reply to the government’s show-cause notice. "The Task Force report has been accepted along with the Academic Council resolutions as per Section 59(9) and (17) of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000. Further, as per Section 63(2), only the Syndicate has the authority to decide matters pertaining to affiliation or disaffiliation by giving an opportunity for the concerned colleges to explain. Moreover, reports or recommendations by committees constituted by lawful authorities will become the basis for such decisions. If any decision is taken based on reports submitted by committees with no legality (reference to Task Force), it can be questioned in court," the reply stated. Task Force Chairman Karan Kumar termed the reply as ‘confusing, evasive and irrelevant’.

Later, Bangalore University officials apologised to the Higher Education Department for providing erroneous information in response to the show-cause notice the Department had issued in regard to non-implementation of the B.Ed. Report of Task Force. Prof. Rangaswamy, acting Vice-Chancellor, claimed innocence and said whatever had happened was not his fault. He also claimed that he did not understand the High Court order and had merely acted on the advice of the University’s legal advisor. "The order is highly confusing. We could not understand it. Even the university legal advisors did not understand it," he said. It must be noted, however, that Prof. Rangaswamy chairs both the Academic Council and Syndicate meetings, and is thus in a position to be completely aware of the proceedings in these two bodies. When asked about this, Rangaswamy said he was "very confused" and needed to go through all the documents again.

Left-wing student organisations have come together to form a Progressive Student-Youth Forum to protest against the university's lack of will to implement the Task Force report. The Forum has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the B.Ed Mafia, which is believed to have stretched across many states outside Karnataka.

Notwithstanding, the Karnataka government has ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into B.Ed colleges affiliated to the university, which have been accused of issuing fake degree certificates to students from both within and outside the state.

Government of Karnataka passed an Order [ED 300 UBV 2012], dated 12/02/2013, directing the Bangalore University to implement the Task Force Report and annulling the contrary decision of the Syndicate of granting affiliation to B.Ed & M.Ed colleges based on ‘set-aside’ reports of LICs.

Further, the Principal Secretary, Higher Education, GoK wrote a letter, dated 14/03/2013, addressed to the Registrar, BU, on the progress made in implementing the Government Order [ED 300 UBV 2012] dated 12/02/2013.

In the meanwhile, the National Council for Teachers’ Education (NCTE) has withdrawn the recognition to flawed M.Ed. colleges affiliated to the Bangalore University. The decision to withdraw the recognition was taken during a meeting of the Southern Regional Committee (SRC) of NCTE held between 29 March – 1 April 2013, and was based on the report of the BU Task Force.

Nearly four months after it was announced, the State Government has officially ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the alleged malpractices in teacher education colleges affiliated to Bangalore University (BU).

Key Observations & Suggestions of the Task Force

1. It is axiomatic that the ‘teacher’ functions like a ‘verb’ in the grammar of educational service delivery system. The strongest and most consistent predictor for success is to ensure well qualified teachers. Otherwise, it is scary to imagine the fate of students in the schools. The immediate change needed in Teacher Education is to develop professional identity of teachers and fostering faith in the key role of the teacher as an Academic Leader in the school system. The programme has to be managed with rigour and discipline that is shown in the training of defense personnel, at least. It should be mandatory for all the colleges to follow the rules and regulations of the regulatory bodies. If they are unwilling to fall in line, they have no reason to exist.

2. Introducing language proficiency courses at pre-service level to improve the communication skills of student-teachers is the need of the hour.

3. The scope of Practice Teaching should be widened to include increased participation of trainees more in school programmes. In order to facilitate this task and availability of schools for the programme, the calendar of the B.Ed. course should be synchronized with that of the schools.

4. Students’ feedback on the academic and administrative functioning of the college need to be considered.

5. Measures to ensure ICT enabled learning resources must be taken up immediately.

6. What is needed is the standards-based reform of teaching, analogous to standards-based reform of schooling. We must have a complete system of teacher education that encompasses the entire teaching continuum, from selection to the course through preparation, certification, induction and rest of the teacher’s career.

7. The present system of a customary visit to the college once a year for renewing the affiliation has become more of a ritual rather than an academic exercise. Since alternative measures require changes in the KSU Act, a high-powered regulatory body headed by experts from outside education field (to ensure neutrality) should be constituted for continuous monitoring of the functioning of all the colleges so that the system is primed to perform to deliver the assigned goals, as mandated by the NCTE and University regulations. This system should have the necessary powers to bring the defaulters to book.

8. Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders (NCTE, Government, University, Faculty, Students and parents) have to be adequately published by the University, preferably in an exclusive website

9. Details of Infrastructure provided by the colleges should find a place in the University website to help the stakeholders as well as the University Regulatory Body for verification, as and when required.

10. It should be mandatory for every college to undergo an academic audit by an independent body, once in three years and the report should be made available in the public domain through University website.

11. Every college must have an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC).

12. Multiple controls system ensuring shared responsibilities (NCTE, State Government, and University) is not effectively working. In fact, there appears to be no control – resulting in the emergence of touts as major players, vitiating the entire programme.

13. Admission process is compromised accepting substandard students; pursuit of profit is the sole motto. This must be controlled immediately by appropriate measures at the admission level itself.

14. The leading institutions have failed to provide leadership and be a role model for others to follow. Even the well-established colleges seem to have drawn into the quick sands of negative competition for admissions.

15. The situation is alarming and warrants stringent punitive as well as corrective measures to bring back the issue to a workable situation and thereafter to higher levels of national and global competitiveness.

16. The menace of disproportionate award of Internal Assessment Marks, as observed in several colleges again is a direct offshoot of the off campus programme. Further, unhealthy competition among the colleges to attract students seems to have taken this form of quid pro quo arrangement between the colleges and the students.

17. Immediately punitive measures have to be taken to make an example of the colleges which have willfully violated their NTCE and University mandates and furthering dishonorable practices of ‘off campus’ programmes which has resulted in the distancing of education.

18. Long term policy decisions to prevent such unethical practices have to be put in place.

19. For all colleges which have completed 5 years of existence, NAAC accreditation to be made mandatory for renewal of affiliation.

20. The University may not only think of conducting the B.Ed. examination in a centralized system but equally explore the possibilities of using technology to curb willful violation of the "scheme of examination".

Status of Seat Matrix for B.Ed. Education

There are 21,400 Government quota seats available in the State of Karnataka against the total applicants of 17,005. Again, 18,900 more seats are available in private colleges through management quota. Thereby, 40,300 B.Ed. seats are available statewide every year.

Similarly, in Bangalore University, there are 5,300 Government quota seats available other than 4,600 seats under management quota. In all, 9900 seats are available under Bangalore University.

But of late, only 40-50% Government seats are filled in time, leaving the rest in the hands of private managements. Thus, by obtaining permission from the Govt., these private managements bring in non-Karnataka students (mainly coming from Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and West Bengal) in a big way and offer off-campus programme. Some of these students are not able to communicate even in simple English. Since English is the official language of medium of instruction, it is astonishing how such students are admitted to the programme and eventually get their degree also. It speaks of gaping loopholes and compromises in the admission, instruction, examination and evaluation processes. Appropriate punitive and curative policy and administrative measures have to be put in place urgently.

Important Points extracted from the Judgment of Supreme Court of India, dated 1 November 2012

4. It is to be clearly stated that an institution that is engaged or interested in getting involved in imparting a course for training has to obey the command of law in letter and spirit. There cannot be any deviation. But, unfortunately, some of the institutions flagrantly violate the norms with adamantine audacity and seek indulgence of the court either in the name of mercy or sympathy for the students or financial constraint of the institution or they have been inappropriately treated by the statutory regulatory bodies. None of these grounds justify deviation. The case at hand graphically depicts deviations but the High Court putting the blame on the statutory authority has granted relief to the respondent- institution which is impermissible.

5. The factual exposition of the present litigation demonstrably reflects the combat between the truth and falsehood, battle between justice and injustice, the contestation between the accord and discord, the collision between fairness and manipulation, the scuffle betwixt the sacrosanctity of the majesty of law and its abuses and the clash between the mandated principles and invocation of sympathy. Such a controversy emerges because majesty, sanctity and purity of law have been corroded and truth, however, relative it may be in the mundane world, has its own command and the same has been deliberately guillotined forgetting the fundamental fact that none can afford to build a castle in Spain in the realm of truth. It is worthy to note that justice in its connotative expanse engulfs the liberalism of an ocean, the magnanimity of the Sun, the sternness of a mountain, the simplicity of a saint, the austerity of a Spartan and the humility of a river. The concept of justice has to remain embedded in spite of adversities. It should remain unshaken, unterrified, unperturbed and loyal to the Rule of Law. In the case at hand, as a maladroit effort has been made to give an indecent burial to the command of law and pave the path of injustice, the same has to be dealt with sternly sans sympathy.

35. Now, to the last plank of submission of the learned counsel for the appellant. It is urged by him that the NCTE had procrastinated its decision at every stage and such delay was deliberate and, therefore, the society was compelled to admit the students and impart education, regard being had to the fact that there were really no deficiencies. As has been laid down in many a pronouncement of this Court that without recognition from the NCTE and affiliation from the university/examining body, the educational institution cannot admit the students. An educational institution is expected to be aware of the law. The students who take admission are not young in age. They are graduates. They are expected to enquire whether the institution has recognition and affiliation. If we allow ourselves to say so, the institution had given admission in a nonchalant manner. Possibly, its functionaries harboured the idea that they had incomparable fertile mind. The students who had taken admission possibly immersed with the idea that ignorance is a bliss. It is also necessary to state that the institution had the anxious enthusiasm to commercialize education and earn money forgetting the factum that such an attitude leads to a disaster. The students exhibited tremendous anxiety to get a degree without bothering for a moment whether their effort, if any, had the sanctity of law. Such attitudes only bring nemesis. It would not be wrong to say that this is not a case which put the institution or the students to choose between Scylla and charybdis. On the contrary, both of them were expected to be Argus-eyed. The basic motto should have been "transparency". Unfortunately, the institution betrayed the trust of the students and the students, in a way, atrophied their intelligence. The institution decidedly exhibited characteristics of carelessness. It seems that they had forgotten that they are accountable to law. The students, while thinking "vision of hope", chose to play possum. The law does not countenance either of the ideas. Hence, the plea propounded with anxiety, vehemence and desperation on behalf of the appellant is not acceptable and, accordingly we unhesitatingly repel the same.

M.Ed. Final Report

The Task Force submitted its Final Report, on M.Ed. Colleges, to the Vice Chancellor, Bangalore University on 25 April 2013.

The report states that Vijaya Teachers College (Post Graduation Studies) has given Compliance to BU Task Force to the tune of 80%, which favored this college to be recommended for renewal/fresh affiliation (as the case may be) for the AY 2013-14, subject to the availability of NCTE recognition. Also, the college has to fulfil the Final Findings as per Revisit Report of the Task Force and shall approval of Staff from the University, prior to 31 July 2013.

Since the other 6 M.Ed. Colleges have not given Compliance to BU Task Force, the Task Force recommends for ‘Permanent Disaffiliation of M.Ed. Program’ effective Academic Year (AY) 2012 – 13.

PREAMBLE:

Teacher education occupies a special niche in the development of a country. Teacher educators shape the minds of future citizens of the country and therefore future of the country. Since, any compromise in the quality of teacher education by design reflects on the quality of future human resource, no efforts should be spared to ensure quality output in this sphere of nation building activity, particularly to meet the challenges of the 21st century knowledge society. However, the situation seems to be alarming since Supreme Court had recently ordered an enquiry through a Commission to set right D.Ed., education in Haryana State.

Unfortunately, Teacher Education in Karnataka is also facing a similar crisis since the concerned institutions do not measure up to the standards expected of them. Most of these Institutions have sub-standard academic infrastructure and are not meeting the requirements of NCTE norms with respect to adequacy of physical infrastructure and human resource. Practical exposure to teacher trainees and impart of research skills are not achieved. From the conduct of academic programs to the dissertation work to the conduct of examination, there are irregularities galore. Overall, the fundamental objectives of preparing Teacher Educators, Educational Administrators, and Researchers are not realized. These institutions are unmindful of the damage they are individually and collectively causing to the education system at the national and international levels. These so-called "Temples of learning" are in fact crumbling and need urgent curative and corrective administrative measures to save the situation.

The November, 2012 judgment of the Supreme Court [Venus Education Society and others Vs NCTE and others (cited further in this report below)] provides a clear picture of how delays and conflicting decisions of public institutions could damage the declared and cherished objectives of Teacher Education system, compelling all concerned public institutional authorities towards proactive and affirmative action to restore quality above all public faith in teacher education in the country.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE

1. Except Vijaya Teachers College (Post Graduation Studies), none of the other M.Ed. Colleges have earmarked dedicated classrooms or library or laboratories for M.Ed. Program.

2. Irregular / improper maintenance of Admission Register.

3. Without attending required classes (minimum of 85% attendance), students are allowed to take examinations.

4. Internal Assessment (IA) marks are being awarded without evaluating IA Papers and in some cases even without conducting tests also. Academic records like test records & test papers with respect to award of IA marks are not maintained properly.

5. None of the colleges have appointed the required number of eligible & regular staff and qualified Head of the Department for M.Ed. Program, as per NCTE norms.

6. Absolutely, there are no documents to show that seminars & workshops are held for the benefit of students and staff at these colleges.

7. Remaining observations are as per the Interim Report of the Task Force on M.Ed. Colleges dated 22 August 2012.

8. Between 1 September 2012 and 28 February 2013 (6 months time given the University vide its Academic Council Resolution dated 29 August 2012), except Vijaya Teachers College (Post Graduation Studies), none other M.Ed. Colleges requested for a revisit to show compliance to the Task Force.

9. As per Revisit Report of the Task Force, dated 20 November 2012, Vijaya Teachers College (Post Graduation Studies) need to have a minimum of 2,000 books as per NCTE norms. Further, it shall have staff strength of 1+2+3 faculty as per NCTE norms and shall obtain necessary approval of the staff from the University prior to start of next academic year program (AY 2013 – 14).

10. Bangalore University had served a Show-cause Notice, dated 28 February 2013, asking M.Ed. colleges to submit compliance on or before 15 March 2013 to the findings of the Task Force. In turn, the Task Force, vide letter dated 30 March 2013, requested the University to provide a copy of the Compliance Report submitted by M.Ed. Colleges against University’s Show-cause Notice, dated 28 February 2013. However, as of this day, the Task Force is yet to get either a reply or the copy of the Compliance Report submitted by M.Ed. Colleges.

11. NCTE withdrew recognition to all M.Ed. Colleges on 1 April 2013. In light of this and in the absence of any compliance report either from the University or from the colleges within the time given, the Task Force had no option but to submit its Final Report on M.Ed. Colleges at this juncture.

OBSERVATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE WITH REGARD TO JUDGMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2012:

1. Just prior to commencement of examination and ignoring all academic norms, allowing the students admitted by some of the private M.Ed. Colleges, under management quota, to write I Semester Examination of Bangalore University for AY 2012 – 13 during February / March 2013 was against the spirit of the above judgment and Regulations of the University.

2. It is highly irresponsible and illegal on part of the M.Ed. Institutions to admit students in spite of having no affiliation of the University. As stated in the above judgment, it is also the responsibility of the students to check whether the institution has the affiliation of the University at the time of joining the course. Hence, the University need not show any mercy either towards the students so admitted or to the institutions having made admission without any rights for the AY 2012 – 13.

OBSERVATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE WITH REGARD TO THE STATEMENTS MADE BEFORE THE MEDIA BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF BANGALORE UNIVERSITY:

1. On 2 April 2013, after the decision of the NCTE dated 1 April 2013 to withdraw recognition to M.Ed. Colleges under Bangalore University, the Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University made a statement that IF THE NCTE HAS DECIDED TO WITHDRAW RECOGNITION TO THESE COLLEGES, THE UNIVERSITY HAS TO ABIDE BY ITS DECISION.

2. On 18 April 2013, immediately after the meeting of the Bangalore University Syndicate, while addressing the media, the Vice Chancellor stated, with respect to seven M.Ed. Colleges, whose recognition was recently withdrawn by NCTE as a result of their poor infrastructure, that HE HAS SENT A LETTER TO THE NCTE ASKING IT TO EXPLAIN THE BASIS ON WHICH THIS DECISION WAS ARRIVED AT. THE NCTE HAS STATED THAT THE DECISION WAS BASED ON THE UNIVERSITY TASK FORCE REPORT. HOWEVER, THE TASK FORCE REPORT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE VARSITY AND NCTE CANNOT TAKE NOTE OF IT ON ITS OWN. IF THE NCTE DECISION IS BASED ENTIRELY ON THE REPORT, WE WILL ASK IT TO RECONSIDER IT AS THE UNIVERSITY HAS NOT ACCEPTED THE REPORT YET.

The fact remains that the Interim Report of the Task Force was unanimously accepted by both Academic Council (on 29 August 2012) and the Syndicate (on 12 December 2012) of the University and further, the Government of Karnataka (on 12 February 2013) also expressed its desire to implement the Reports of the Task Force. Based on the same, with the approval of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar had notified all M.Ed. Colleges, vide Show-cause Notice dated 28 February 2013, asking for compliance to the deficiencies highlighted in the Interim Report of the Task Force.

In such a scenario, it is highly surprising and incorrect on the part of BU Vice Chancellor to make statements like THE TASK FORCE REPORT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE VARSITY and THE UNIVERSITY HAS NOT ACCEPTED THE REPORT YET before the media. The Task Force takes a strong note of this contradictory stand of the Vice Chancellor.

It is worth to note that a chance was given by NCTE for Bangalore University to make its stand clear. In this regard, the Regional Director, SRC, NCTE had written a letter, F.NO.SRC/NCTE/ESTT/2012-13/47803 dated 20 December 2012, to the Vice Chancellor, Bangalore University to have a detailed discussion, on the state of Teacher Education Institutions affiliated to Bangalore University, with Chairman, SRC, NCTE.

In the opinion of the Task Force, though the University is an affiliating agency, it cannot ignore and/or question the powers & the authority of NCTE, when it comes to providing recognition to an institution.

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE: IN ORDER TO MAKE M.ED. PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE UNIVERSITY MORE MEANINGFUL & TRANSPARENT

General Recommendations:

1. Ensure strict compliance with admission regulations of the University.

2. It is highly essential to monitor the regular conduct of academic program in private M.Ed. Colleges by the Dept. of Education of the University.

3. To check for shortage in minimum attendance prescribed by the University.

4. Colleges should maintain their admission register in accordance to norms & University should publish a directory of M.Ed. admissions for each college annually immediately after the last date of admission as per the calendar of events.

5. Details of Principals & academic staff should also be published by the University prior to the start of the academic programs as per University calendar of events.

Specific Recommendation:

6. The Task Force recommends the University NOT TO APPROVE any admissions made by private M.Ed. Colleges without having the affiliation of the University.

7. The Task Force recommends the University to penalize the M.Ed. Institutions for having violated the University norms with a fine of INR 25,000/- per student, admitted under management quota for the AY 2012 – 13.

B.Ed. Final Report

The Task Force submitted its Final Report, on B.Ed. Colleges, to the Vice Chancellor, Bangalore University on 27 May 2013.

The Report mentions that the Chairman and Members of the Task Force fully abide by the Observations & Recommendations of the Interim Report on B.Ed. Colleges dated 2 November 2012. Further, the Final Report includes the discussion related to the deliberations and decisions of the Academic Council and the Syndicate of Bangalore University. The Task Force also made a critical review of the Reports of the Expert Committees, constituted by the University.

The Final Report gives Specific Observations and Recommendations related to B.Ed. Colleges of Bangalore University and General Recommendations pertaining to Teacher Education in the State of Karnataka.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:

1. Bangalore University, in pursuance of the resolution of its Syndicate meeting held on 22-02-2013, constituted three Expert Committees, headed by Prof. V. Sudhakar, Dr. A. S. Seetharamu and Dr. Nagappa Shahapur, to verify the facts and compliance in light of the Interim Report of the Task Force on Teacher Education dated 2 November 2012 (vide its order - BU-No. Aca-III/B.Ed/2012-13, Date: 04-04-2013 & D.O.No. Aca-III /TFVC/2012-13, Date: 04-04-2013 & D.O.No. Aca-III/B.Ed/2012-2013 Date: 27-04-2013).

2. As per the provisions of Interim Report of BU Task Force, the Vice Chancellor could have constituted an Expert Committee to inspect the compliance of Colleges under Category - III only & not otherwise.

3. However, the Academic Council, in its special meeting dated 16-05-2013, rightly accepted the Report of Expert Committee headed by Prof. V. Sudhakar in respect of Colleges under Category – III and rejected the Reports of other two Expert Committees, headed by Dr. A. S. Seetharamu and Dr. Nagappa Shahapur. BU Syndicate, in its meeting dated 17 May 2013, unanimously resolved to approve the resolutions of the Academic Council Meeting held on 16 May 2013.

4. The only qualified reports available with the Bangalore University are the Interim Report of BU Task Force and Report of the Expert Committee headed by Dr. V. Sudhakar, which is also in line with the Interim Report of BU Task Force. In sum, the Task Force Report, dated 2 November 2012, on the functioning of the B.Ed. Colleges and grant / renewal of affiliation is fully validated.

5. Thereby, as per the reports of the Expert Committee headed by Prof. V Sudhakar & the provisions of the Interim Report of BU Task Force dated 02-11-2012, the University will have to disaffiliate all Category – III Colleges effective Academic Year – 2012-13.

6. Further, none of the B.Ed. Colleges, other than 26 colleges under Special Category, Category I & II (as listed in the Interim Report of BU Task Force dated 02-11-2012), will have the Affiliation of BU for the AY 2012 – 13.

7. Likewise, the University cannot & should not approve the admission of students to colleges, having no affiliation, for the AY 2012 – 13.

8. As also, all 9 Blacklisted (earlier by the AAC earlier) and/or defunct colleges as listed in the Interim Report of BU Task Force dated 02-11-2012 will not have the Affiliation of BU effective AY 2011 – 12 itself.

9. To decide on the affiliation for the AY 2012 – 13, a special committee shall inspect both BRV B.Ed. College & Dayananda Sagar College of Education, well within June 2013.

10. The non-functional colleges listed by the Task Force are conducting off-campus programme only to help the outside Karnataka students to obtain their degree without attending the required academic program.

During the visit of the Task Force to non-functional colleges, these colleges did not co-operate with the Task Force to conduct inspection. Principals of few non-functional colleges have not only threatened the Task Force team by way of abusive language but resorted to chasing by showing iron rod and/or raising their hand.

One of the non-functional colleges, with the sole intention of insulting the Task Force Members, had locked the entire premises including the Principal’s cabin and kept welcome board to the Chairperson & all members by name. Otherwise, few other non-functional colleges did not give room for inspection of the Task Force by locking their main gate / entrance itself on a working day. Is this academically acceptable? This establishes the fact that all non-functional colleges are just admitting students & allowing them to write examination without conducting any academic program. The Academic Council decided to allow students from such colleges to appear for I semester examination of AY 2012-13 on humanitarian grounds. How fair is this decision on part of the intellectuals of the Academic Council of Bangalore University?

11. The Centralized Admission Cell (CAC), vide its order dated 8 April 2013, ordered for re-allotment of students from disaffiliated colleges (9 Blacklisted Colleges) to KLE Society’s College of Education, Bengaluru based on Bangalore University’s Show Cause Notice dated 28 February 2013.

The above move of the CAC is welcome; however, 11 students pertaining to 9 Blacklisted Colleges were moved to KLE Society’s College of Education, which itself falls under Category – III, as listed in the Interim Report of the Task Force dated 2 November 2012. Even the Expert Committee, headed by Dr. V. Sudhakar recommended for disaffiliation of this college effective AY 2012 -13. In such a scenario, the said students should not have been moved to KLE Society’s College of Education, as the same is not eligible to get affiliation for the AY 2012 -13. Instead, the CAC had the option of moving these 11 students to any of the 26 colleges, which have affiliation for the AY 2012 -13.

As per the Task Force Report, only 26 colleges, under Category I & II, are eligible to admit students for the AY 2012 – 13. When CAC could re-allot students from 9 Blacklisted Colleges, based on Bangalore University’s Show Cause Notice dated 28 February 2013, CAC should have done re-allotment of students from all other colleges, which are not eligible for affiliation to any of the 26 Colleges, which have affiliation for the AY 2012 – 13.

12. In all, NCTE has withdrawn recognition of 17 B.Ed. Colleges, which are having the affiliation of Bangalore University. Although NCTE withdrew its recognition of some of these colleges during the AY 2010 – 11 itself, the Bangalore University continued their affiliation even for AY 2011 – 12 in violation of the provisions of KSU Act, 2000. If not intervened by the concerned, the same trend may continue during AY 2012 – 13.

13. As per NCTE Regulations, the teacher education institution shall not be allowed to have any other institution within its demarcated area or building and shall not have any other course(s) in its building. The society sponsoring the institution shall be required to transfer and vest the title of the land and building in the name of the institution within a period of six months from the date of issue of formal recognition order under sub-regulation (11) of Regulation 7.

More than 80% of the B.Ed. colleges under Bangalore University have not shifted to their own premises / building within three years from the date of recognition. This is a gross violation of NCTE norms.

14. As per NCTE Regulations, the college has to deposit Endowment Fund of INR 5 Lakhs and Reserve Fund of 3 Lakhs as Fixed Deposit in the joint name of an authorized representative of the management and the Regional Director, SRC, NCTE, GOI concerned.

Most of the B.Ed. colleges under Bangalore University (BU) have not kept / renewed the Deposit or not kept in the joint name of an authorized representative of the management and the Regional Director, SRC, NCTE, GOI concerned. This is a gross violation of NCTE norms.

15. As per NCTE Regulations, the B.Ed. College should have 1+7 qualified / eligible teaching staff, approved by the University for strength of 100 students, which 80% of the colleges under BU have not fulfilled. Unfortunately, the Local Inquiry Committees of the BU have failed to inspect / identify this point while recommending for renewal of affiliation year on year.

16. As per NCTE Regulations, as a stop gap arrangement prior to moving to a dedicated, independent building, the college management should at least earmark a dedicated place with approved building plan when it is conducting many academic programs in a common campus. About 90% of the colleges under BU do not fulfil this requirement. Unfortunately, the Local Inquiry Committees of the BU have failed to inspect / identify this point while recommending for renewal of affiliation year on year.

17. Referring to the Gazette Notification No. ED 10 URC 2000 dated 19 July 2000 of the State Govt. (Education Dept.) published by Karnataka Govt. Secretariat,

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 14 of the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation fee) Act, 1984 (Karnataka Act 37 of 1984), the Government of Karnataka hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Karnataka Selection of Candidates for admission to Teachers Certificate Higher Course (TCH) and Bachelor of Education Course (B.Ed.) Rules, 1999, which is currently being in force in its Rule 7 and Sub-rule 8 (amended) clearly states that "for the seats remaining vacant even after re-allotment and counselling, further counselling shall be done by selecting the candidates from out of the waiting list by reducing the cut off percentage under the category in which vacancies exist. This process shall be continued till all the vacant seats are filled up in all the categories under Government Seats, until the list of eligible candidates is exhausted. Seats still remaining vacant shall be filled up by the management only if the Government issues specific orders in this regard".

It appears, because of lack of coordination between the NCTE, CAC, University and the Higher Education Department, objective of the rule stated above is defeated and misused quite often. Further, it is observed that the CAC is only referring to the list of colleges approved by the NCTE (refer to Notification dated 27 November 2012 issued by the Office of the Special Officer, CAC, Govt. of Karnataka) and not verifying with the affiliating and examining body i.e. Universities concerned. As a result, CAC is allotting students to colleges, which do not have affiliation by the University. Again, when the Government receives request letter from the colleges for filling up unfilled Government quota seats directly under Management quota, the orders are issued only by referring to the provisions of the rule stated above and not verifying whether the college has been issued with the letter of affiliation from the University concerned. This is a major loophole in the system, which has led to lot of corrupt practices in the Department of Higher Education.

18. If any failure on part of Universities Authorities & statutory bodies to comply with the provisions of KSU Act 2000, the Government may initiate punitive action against the Vice Chancellor concerned in accordance to Govt. circular No. ED 157 UNE 2003 dated 26-03-2004.

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS (for Bangalore University):

In addition to the recommendations already made in the Interim Report of the Task Force dated 2 November 2012, and duly accepted by Bangalore University (BU), following are the additional recommendations:

1. Based on the findings of the Interim Reports of the BU Task Force and the facts placed in Final Reports, it is urged for a ‘Court Commission’, by appointing a Retired Chief Justice or a Retired Judge of the Supreme Court as the ‘Head of the Commission’, constituted by the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka / Supreme Court of India (as the case may be) to sternly deal with the irregularities of Teacher Education not only under BU but all other Universities in the state of Karnataka.

2. All Irregular, malfunctioning & defunct colleges under BU must be closed effective AY 2012 – 13.

3. All 9 Black Listed Colleges shall be "Permanently Disaffiliated" effective AY 2011 – 12. By a special investigating agency constituted by either the Court Commission or the State Government, the concerned managements shall be prosecuted for adopting illegal & corrupt practices and amassing ill-wealth by admitting ineligible candidates and not conducting the academic program ever since year-2005.

4. Under BU region, the demand for B.Ed. program is merely 20% (refer to the allotment of seats by CAC, GoK in recent years). Therefore, it is highly permissible to close down all irregular & defunct B.Ed. colleges with immediate effect.

5. To complete the pending CID enquiry ordered by the Govt of Karnataka, vide GO No. OE/10/CID/2013 dated 15-04-2013, pertaining to irregularities of B.Ed. Colleges under Bangalore University during the next 5–6 months.

6. The "Co-ordination Board" of Bangalore University was abolished earlier because of its involvement in malpractices & irregularities. Hence, it is strongly recommended not to have the "Co-ordination Board" for B.Ed. colleges. Instead, to supervise the Academic work of all B.Ed. & M.Ed. colleges, a state level "Monitoring & Supervisory Board" (MSB) be constituted by the Govt. of Karnataka, which shall have representatives from the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE), DSERT & Department of Education, Universities in Karnataka.

7. Last revision of B.Ed. syllabus by the Bangalore University was during AY 2002 – 03. As per UGC guidelines, it should have been revised once every FIVE years. Hence, it is the need of the hour to revise the B.Ed. (Regular) syllabus with immediate effect. Along with a few experts, the Department of Education of BU shall take lead in improving the quality of B.Ed. education.

8. In future, as NCTE has very clearly laid down the norms, the University must provide a copy of the NCTE norms to the members of the Local Inquiry Committees prior to their inspection.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS (for the State of Karnataka):

1. At the State level, the Government shall constitute "Monitoring & Supervisory Board" (MSB), which shall work in co-ordination with all Universities & Southern Regional Committee of NCTE in supervising the Academic work of all B.Ed. & M.Ed. colleges. MSB shall have representatives from the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE), DSERT & Department of Education, Universities in Karnataka. MSB shall also take up a study as to know the academic competency of Teacher Educators and fulfilment of NCTE Norms by the Colleges of Education in the State of Karnataka.

2. It is strongly recommended to form a ‘High-power Committee’ involving experts from Teacher Education and retired IAS officers to exclusively look into below mentioned constructive steps in overcoming the present menace of Teacher Education in the State of Karnataka:

(2-i) To popularize the opportunities in Teacher Education so as to attract creamy layer of the student community to B.Ed. programme, by offering incentives. This encourages entry of students who have passion and attitude towards teaching profession.

(2-ii) Going by the CAC allocation Chart for the AY 2012 – 13, number of Karnataka students opting for Teacher Education is only around 12500 representing 26 Districts in Karnataka, which effectively means the State needs not more than 125 – 130 B.Ed. Colleges in the present scenario. Assuming good response for Teacher Education in the near future, the State of Karnataka does not need more than 150 quality institutions.

(2-iii) As per the above table, there are 55 B.Ed. colleges (both Govt. and Aided), which are already supported by the State Govt. As mentioned in point (ii) above, the Govt. may consider the option of limiting the colleges of education to around 130 and ensure that these 130 institutions comply with all the norms of NCTE and affiliating body. In such a scenario, supporting additional 70 – 75 colleges by providing Aid (for 8 teaching and 5 non-teaching staff in each college) may not cost more than INR 40 Crores per annum additionally. But this little investment by the State would go a long way in producing quality teachers who in turn contribute to the good cause of Higher Primary, Higher Secondary and Intermediate Education in the state.

(2-iv) As to support 130 colleges across the State, a teacher workforce of not more than 1100 qualified faculties of teacher education is required. Appointment of required number of qualified faculties to all the 130 colleges of education could be taken care by the Monitoring & Supervisory Board mentioned above (in General Recommendation No. 1).

Education has to be qualitative: Supreme Court of India (As reported by PTI, New Delhi on 16 Sep 2012)

The Supreme Court has said the government and private educational institutions should provide qualitative education to children and the eligibility criteria for appointment of teachers must be strictly adhered to.

A bench of justices B S Chauhan and F M Ibrahim Kalifulla said that life of democracy depends on a high standard of education which must be maintained at all costs.

"It is a well-accepted fact that democracy cannot be flawless but we can strive to minimise these flaws with proper education. Democracy depends for its very life on a high standard of general, vocational and professional education. Dissemination of learning with search for new knowledge with discipline all round must be maintained at all costs," the bench said.

"Education and particularly that of elementary/basic education has to be qualitative and for that the trained teachers are required. The Legislature in its wisdom after consultation with the expert body fixes the eligibility for a particular discipline taught in a school. Thus, the eligibility so fixed require very strict compliance and any appointment made in contravention thereof must be held to be void," the bench said.

The court passed the observation while adjudication a case pertaining to termination of job of a teacher who was not having requisite qualification. "Provision of free and compulsory education of satisfactory quality to children from disadvantaged and weaker sections is, therefore, not merely the responsibility of schools run or supported by the appropriate governments, but also of schools which are not dependent on government funds," the court said.