This could discourage opening up of new educational institutions and defeat the purpose of revamping the educational system as envisaged in the New Education Policy 2020, it noted, adding that the UGC should take stern action “against big educational institutions indulging in such monopolistic practices”.

This matter of disproportionate admission was raised when Education Ministry officials appeared before the committee for a presentation on a pending assurance pertaining to changes to the system of higher education and vocational education.

The Department of Higher Education secretary had requested the committee to consider dropping the assurance but the Committee did not accede to it.

The assurance pertained to a question in the Rajya Sabha on whether the government proposes to bring in changes to the present system of higher education and vocational education by introducing more practical learning to make it more employment-oriented, and the details of the steps taken.

The response to the question in 2020 had said that the government is in the process of formulating and finalising a new NEP.

The Department of Higher Education secretary stated before the committee that the NEP 2020 lays out clear guidelines and a road map for adoption of vocational education and practical training in the regular academic curriculum.

On this, Thambidurai observed that “students are not so eager to join vocational courses being offered as they find such courses inferior and probably do not foresee getting dignified and lucrative employment after completion of such courses”.

“This is evident as a large number of seats for various vocational and professional courses remain vacant because of various reasons, such as high fee structure for such courses, relatively longer career path, lack of lucrative employment opportunities after completing such courses etc.”

The committee noted the country needs to develop a “well-coordinated and robust system of imparting vocational training”.