EDUCATION
Education is a public good and every student has the right to free, quality education provided by the state. Schools, colleges and universities should be predominantly public institutions funded by public resources. We recognise that private educational institutions play an important supplementary role.
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16. We will assist state governments to establish one Government Community College in every tehsil/taluk for students completing Class XII. These community colleges will offer a broad range of degrees/diplomas suitable for jobs in the service industry (e.g. hospitality, tourism, digital marketing, paramedical, paralegal, etc.) and for jobs in the manufacturing industry that require basic technical skills.
Related educational commitments include:
13. We will enhance financial assistance to the Autonomous District Councils in the North Eastern states.
14. We will ensure that all central textbooks promote a scientific temper and are aligned with India's constitutional values as contained in the Preamble and other provisions of the Constitution of India. Textbook revisions will not be done arbitrarily or driven by political motives.
15. We will revive the Education Loan programme to college students implemented under the UPA government and instruct banks to extend collateral-free education loans up to 7.5 lakhs especially to students belonging to the SC, ST, OBC, EWS and minorities.
17. Congress will revive the Education Loan programme to college students implemented under the UPA government and instruct banks to extend collateral-free education loans up to 7.5 lakhs especially to students belonging to the SC, ST, OBC, EWS and minorities.
18. Due to widespread unemployment, as a one-time measure of relief, the amount due including unpaid interest as on 15 March 2024 in respect of all student educational loans will be written off and the banks will be compensated by the government.
19. Congress will ensure that serving teachers are represented in the governing bodies of colleges and universities.
20. We will fill all teaching and non-teaching vacancies in central universities and other central educational institutions.
21. National accreditation bodies will be strengthened and higher educational institutions will be accredited based on stringent quality norms.
22. Online courses and digital learning have gained importance. We will ensure that all students of classes IX to XII have mobile phones to ensure equitable access to learning. We will provide free and unlimited Internet on college and school campuses to increase accessibility and connectivity.