UGC Suggests 'Earn-while-Learn' Scheme Implementation in Higher Education Institutions; Check Details Here

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UGC Suggests 'Earn-while-Learn' Scheme Implementation in Higher Education Institutions

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has suggested some measures to guarantee equal opportunities for students from disadvantaged sectors in higher education institutions, one of which is the ‘Earn-while-Learn’ scheme.

The commission has proposed the scheme as a significant intervention to help make higher education institutions more inclusive and safe for the students under socio-economically disadvantaged groups including SCs, STs, OBCs, religious and linguistic minorities, among others.

There are some measures suggested in it for the protection of constitutional rights, including an additional curriculum, an earn-and-learn programme, and an equal opportunity room.

Numerous studies have so far demonstrated that underprivileged students are leaving higher education as a result of academic stress and an absence of an acceptable environment and behaviour in higher education institutions.

The UGC has rolled out these recommendations in order to create an inclusive, egalitarian, and sensitive environment for the students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (Non-Criminal), Minorities, and Economically Backward Sections. It has been made clear that impoverished students should have the same opportunities as other students.

According to UGC guidelines, each higher education school will have an equal opportunity room. This chamber will ensure that students' constitutional rights are upheld and they are not subjected to discrimination.

As per the existing schedule caste, the Tribe Cell, Other Backward Class Cells, etc., will operate under the equal opportunity cell. The Head of the Higher Education Institution will nominate the Director or Superintendent of this unit.

Moreover, the committee will have seven additional members. The student's academic weaknesses might be remedied with the help of supplement courses. Additionally, it is stated that students will gain knowledge and self-assurance from this scheme for continuing their further education.

Under this ‘Earn while Learn” scheme, opportunities for part-time work will be provided to the needy students. The list of such work opportunities might include working on research projects with an assistantship, Library assignments, Computer services, Data entry, laboratory assistants, etc,” As per the officials, the students will be provided remuneration on an hourly basis.

“The remuneration for every student will be a consolidated amount on an hourly basis for the part-time service they render, it can be a maximum of 20 hours per week, 20 days per month, etc,. The payment will be made on an actual basis. The services of the student will be rendered after class hours,” it stated.

The ‘Earn and Learn’ scheme has been proposed to ease the hardships of economically weaker students. If employment is available during study, the students and their parents will be able to get some financial relief.

Apart from that, the dropout rate will decrease and the students will get an opportunity to earn for themselves and their families while studying which clearly signifies the name of the scheme 'Earn and Learn'.

Hence, It has been made clear that this programme should be encouraged at the higher educational institutions.

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