Devolution of HEC: Rabbani seeks to dispel apprehensions

Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Co-ordination Mian Raza Rabbani said on Saturday that some anti-devolution and vested interests were unnecessarily creating uncertainty about the devolution process under the 18th Amendment and called it pre-emptive politics.
Speaking at Karachi Press Club, he said that it was beyond his understanding why these elements were creating a scary situation particularly about the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and misguiding the media and the nation.
CM's Advisor Rashid Rabbani, CM's Special Assistant, Sindh PPP Information Secretary Waqar Mehdi and others were also present on the occasion. "The recommendations of Implementation Commission on 18th Amendment for creation of the new body of HEC has been approved by the federal Cabinet and all apprehensions have been addressed in these recommendations," he added.
Sharing the recommendations with the media, Raza Rabbani pointed out that the new regulation for HEC suggests that it will evaluate the performance of institutions. It will prescribe conditions under which Institutions, for higher and technical education including those that are not part of the State educational system, may be-opened and operated.
Similarly, it will set up national or regional evaluation councils or authorise any existing council or similar body to carry out accreditation of Institutions, faculties and disciplines by giving them appropriate ratings. Rabbani said the new body would be authorised to set up testing bodies or designate any existing body for the purpose. It will also determine the equivalence and recognition of degrees, diplomas and certificates of Higher education awarded by institutions within the country and abroad.
The new HEC will develop guidelines for evaluation of performance of faculty members and Institutions. It will collect information and statistics on higher education and Institutions as it may deem fit and may cause it published, and perform such other functions consistent with the provisions of the Ordinance as may be prescribed or as may be incidental or consequential to the discharging of the aforesaid functions. He said the Committee would certainly invite the universities and HEC whenever needed to get their input and guidance on the new rules. The new law will never be passed and implemented without their consultation and guidance, he reiterated.
Rabbani said the spirit of 18th Amendment was the reconciliation, dialogue and consensus building. Dispelling the impression that devolution of HEC would devalue degrees, lower standards or discontinue accreditation, he said this "is all incorrect and baseless." Rabbani said that implementation committee was silent in its working, but he was forced to respond to some of the apprehensions and misgivings on the floor of the House.