Makkal Kalvi Kootiyakkam Calls for Major Reforms in Tamil Nadu's Higher Education System
Makkal Kalvi Kootiyakkam demands overhaul of higher education in Tamil Nadu

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Makkal Kalvi Kootiyakkam, comprising over 40 organizations, has presented a reform charter to Tamil Nadu's Higher Education Minister, demanding systemic changes to combat corruption, enhance funding, and ensure social justice in higher education institutions across the state.
- 01The forum demands a high-level inquiry into alleged bribery in professor recruitment over the past decade.
- 02They propose allocating 10% of the State budget to higher education and increasing Ph.D. scholarships from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
- 03A minimum salary of ₹55,000 for guest lecturers is advocated, with a push for permanent positions.
- 04The charter calls for free higher education for SC/ST students and new courses in existing public institutions instead of new self-financing colleges.
- 05Mandatory online fee disclosures and district-level monitoring committees are recommended to ensure transparency and accountability.
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Makkal Kalvi Kootiyakkam, a coalition of over 40 organizations in Tamil Nadu, has submitted a reform charter to P. Viswanathan, the state's Higher Education Minister, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic changes in higher education. The demands focus on eradicating corruption, increasing funding, and ensuring social justice across academic institutions. R. Murali, the forum's Coordinator, called for an inquiry into alleged bribery in professor recruitment and proposed the establishment of an independent board for State Level Eligibility Tests. They advocate for allocating 10% of the State budget to higher education and increasing Ph.D. scholarships from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh. Additionally, the charter seeks a minimum salary of ₹55,000 for guest lecturers and the abolition of the common curriculum system to restore university autonomy. Recommendations also include providing free higher education for SC/ST students, mandatory online fee disclosures, and district-level monitoring committees to oversee compliance with fee regulations. The forum emphasizes that social justice and structural equity must be central to these reforms.
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The proposed reforms aim to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education in Tamil Nadu, particularly for marginalized communities.
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