UGC planned out strategies to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in 12th Five-Year Plan

The University Grant Commission (UGC) on 11 March 2012, chalked out a number of strategies to increase gross enrolment ratio (GER) of students from present 20 per cent to 30 per cent. The significant step is a part of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) and was taken during a programme at the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The objective of the strategies taken is to add value to Higher Education sector,

The country's GER, an indicator of access to higher education is about 20 per cent of the relevant age (17-23 years) group. The present GER is really low compared to that in advanced countries like UK and US.

The Commission planned out the strategies for the 12th Plan keeping in mind the three major heads of access- equity and quality with interlaced components of relevance, value-education and creativity.

The Commission also prepared document on ways of quality expansion of Higher Education in India so that Indian students can perform better. The Plan would require an increase in the student enrolment from the present level of 14 million to 22 million in colleges and the universities to attain success.

The UGC sought Rs 1,84,470 crore for its various planned programmes during the 12th Plan against Rs 85,0000 crore in the 11th Five-Year Plan previously. The budget is appropriate in order to achieve the proposed initiative to increase GER. The overall budget estimated for the proposed initiative to increase GER, is Rs 1,84,700 crore.

There are 611 universities and university-level institutions and 31,324 colleges in the country, as of 2011 who will be taking part in the initiative to increase the GER.

The Commission is also likely to grant autonomy to colleges. And a university or deemed university tag to those institutes which are having a student strength of more than 3,000 and potential for excellence.