DUTA flays govt for pushing privatization of higher education

Criticising the six higher education related bills in parliament, the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) alleged the UPA government was "undermining" the social purpose of education by relinquishing the government's role in providing it.

The direction and contents of these bills tabled in the Rajya Sabha have been questioned and even critiqued by all major teachers' organisations and unions, it said.

In a statement today, the DUTA said education is a necessary responsibility of the government but UPA-II is "aggressively promoting" privatisation and is "undermining this important social purpose".

"Through the HRD Ministry and the Planning Commission, the government has been arguing in favour of fee hikes and withdrawal of subsidy from higher education. On the other hand, the question of affordability is sought to be glibly addressed by recommending education loans that will impose huge financial burden on students," said a statement.

The teachers said DUTA was planning a nationwide campaign agaimnst the bills.