IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

DACE SCHEME 

23rd April, 2022 POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

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Context - The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Dr Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) Scheme.

 

Details

  • The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar and Smt. Anandi Ben Patel, Governor of Uttar Pradesh has launched the Dr Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) Scheme from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
    • It was also started in 31 Central Universities across the country.
  • It aims to provide high-quality free coaching facilities to the Scheduled Caste students for the UPSC Civil Services examinations.
  • Under the DACE Scheme, a total of 100 seats will be sanctioned for each coaching centre.
    • Out of the total sanctioned of 100 seats per coaching centre, 33% of seats will preferably be given to the eligible female candidates of Scheduled Castes.
  • One time coaching benefits regardless of the number of chances he/she is entitled to a particular competitive examination.
  • The students will be selected through an entrance test conducted by the University as per merit.
  • 75,000/- per annum/per student will be provided to the University for 100 students. The total amount of Rs. 75.00 lakh per year would be provided to the University for running the Scheme.

 

Challenges in Indian Education System

  • India has achieved universal enrolment at the elementary level. This is a great achievement, but getting Students to School is only the beginning of human Capital formation.
  • Poor quality of facilities, Shortage of qualified faculty.
  • Out of date Curriculum, Limited university-industry Partnership.
  • Indian origin Scientists have won the Nobel Prize, but post-independence work done in India has not led to a Science novel. If Indians Studying and working abroad can have a great impact, then obviously the problem has to do with our Systems of education and research.
  • Broken governance System. There are few rewards for being a good teacher and few Punishments for being a Careless one. Need more effective and accountable governance Systems.
  • The greed of Private Colleges to earn the maximum from every Student puts traumatic Pressure on Students which results in mental breakdown.
  • More girls than boys drop out of School. While boys drop out to work, girls usually Stay at home and help with domestic Work. Social Conception of gender roles is an important factor.
  • Learning loss due to pandemics and the digital divide.

 

Steps by the Government

  • The 86th Constitution Amendment provides the Fundamental right to free and compulsory education under Article 21A includes a Common education System where the “rich and Poor are educated under one roof".
  • Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan provides funding to eligible State higher educational institutions.
  • Declaration of Educational Institutions as institutions of Eminence, to provide world-class education to Indian Students within the Country.
  • Creation of Higher Education Financing Agency, for high-quality infrastructure in Premier educational institutions.
  • National Institution Ranking Framework for ranking our higher education institutions.
  • GIAN Initiative to invite distinguished academicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, and experts from premier institutions across the world to teach in higher educational institutions in India.
  • SWAYAM Portal for online Courses.
  • SWAYAM Prabha Provide HD educational Channels through DTH on a 24X7 basis.
  • Sodhganga to develop a national repository of universities in India, digital Study material for higher education.
  • Samagra Shiksha Scheme to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education.

 

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1818759