Syllabus: GS2/Governance
In News
- The Supreme Court of India has issued directions to Central and State governments under Article 142 on Student Suicides and Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Functioning.
| Article 142 of the Indian Constitution – It grants the Supreme Court a unique and extraordinary power to ensure “complete justice” in cases where existing laws or statutes may not provide an adequate remedy. – As per Article 142(1), the Court can pass any decree or make any order necessary for doing complete justice in matters pending before it, and such orders are enforceable throughout India, either as prescribed by law made by Parliament or, until such law exists, as directed by the President. – The core idea is to enable theSupreme Court to address instances of illegality or injustice and deliver fair and equitable outcomes tailored to the facts of each case. |
Major Issues Highlighted by Supreme Court
- Rapid massification and privatization of higher education: India now ranks second globally in student enrolment, has led to student distress, deaths, chronic faculty vacancies, and exploitation.
- Student mental health: The Supreme Court noted an epidemic of student suicides, with stressors including rigid attendance policies, overburdened curricula, exam pressures, faculty shortages, reliance on guest faculty, and non-transparent placement processes.
- Medical and engineering students face extreme workload and exploitative academic culture.
- Inadequate Strength: Public HEIs, including the University of Madras, face severe staffing shortages, with faculty strength at only 50% of sanctioned positions.
- Financial stress: Delays in the disbursement of scholarships emerge as a significant source of financial strain.
- Political Overhaul: Research and teaching quality have declined, and Vice-Chancellor appointments are stalled due to ambiguity over the Governor’s powers.
- Filling vacancies requires UGC procedures, qualified faculty, and budgetary support, while corruption and political appointments have impacted quality.
Directives of Supreme Court
- Faculty and administration vacancies: All vacant teaching posts must be filled within four months; Vice-Chancellors and Registrars must be appointed within one month.
- Scholarships: Pending scholarship disbursements must be cleared within four months, and future disbursements must follow clear timelines.
- Healthcare access: Residential HEIs must ensure 24×7 access to qualified medical help, either on campus or within 1 km.
- Data and reporting: HEIs must report all student suicides or unnatural deaths, on-campus or off-campus to the police.
- The Sample Registration System and National Crime Records Bureau should maintain and distinguish data on student suicides by higher education level.
- Institutional accountability: HEIs are responsible for creating safe, equitable, inclusive, and conducive learning environments.
- Implementation: Union and State governments must ensure all directions are communicated and acted upon promptly.
- The court stressed that quantitative growth in higher education must be matched with institutional support and student welfare measures to prevent ongoing distress.
Source :TH
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