'Educational institutions aren't free'

AHMEDABAD: The issues on autonomy of premier institutes came to the fore once again. The central government’s decision to invite applications for post of director of the three IIMs — Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta — was criticised by the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad director Bakul Dholakia.

“Earlier, the government played the role of a facilitator in educational institutes, mainly higher learning. Now, there is more of interference in their operations and autonomy,” Mr Dholakia said. He was addressing journalists at a two-day regional workshop on ‘Challenges of globalisation: Role of Economic Freedom’ organised by Press Institute of India at IIM-A.

“Where is the freedom as far as educational institutions are concerned?” he asked, referring to the recent move by government on appointment of chairmen and directors of the institutes.

“Do the institutes have freedom with regard to their administrative structures?” he said adding how over 60-70% members on the board of institutions like the IIMs were government appointees. He further said the institutes of higher learning did not have any say in fixing the pay of their faculties.

The workshop had speakers including Arun Chacko, director, Press Institute of India and Subodh Kumar, Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung (FNSt).