Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is planning to draw a policy in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that would empower government agencies and institutions to formally recognise individuals’ existing skills and competencies through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).While exploring a resolution for over 130 students who were allegedly duped by Bandra’s Dr Baliram Hiray College of Architecture, the state’s higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil, directed the Maharashtra State Academic and Research Council, the state’s academic advisory body, to draw a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to safeguard their academic interests. These students completed their education from the college, but their degrees are not endorsed by any recognised university.Taking serious note of the alleged fraud, Patil directed the administrative bodies to register criminal cases against such institutions. The minister also asked students and parents to not fall prey to such misleading claims and verify the institutions’ authenticity on the websites of competent authorities such as the directorate of higher education or technical education.In 2023, the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), which is responsible for setting standards, developing comprehensive regulations and improving the vocational education, training, and skilling ecosystem, had developed the guidelines for the RPL. The Union skill ministry, at that time, referred to RPL as a “mechanism through which drop-outs from the formal system will be reintegrated by aligning their practical experience with the relevant level of National Skill Qualification Framework”. The guidelines are yet to be adopted by the state.While the original idea of RPL was also to recognise skills and boost employability, in this particular case, it will help students to get some formal recognition for the number of years they spent in studying at the unrecognised college, said a government official.The state policy, while adopting the NCVET guidelines, will set up minimum standards and procedures for assessment of skills and facilitate integration with the formal education system. This assessment, as recommended, should be done by a panel, which would also include an industry expert. The guidelines will also lay down the minimum standards required for recognition awarding bodies and assessment agencies.Students of Dr Baliram Hiray College, who took admission to BSc/BVov (Interior Design) from five batches beginning 2021-22, have filed complaints alleging academic fraud, institutional misrepresentation, economic offence, discrepancies in academic records, lack of transparency and mental harassment by college authorities.The first batch of students was told the course was affiliated to Sangai University in Manipur, which was derecognised in 2024. Students had no idea about the derecognition. Later, they were told the degrees will be granted by Sikkim International University. Students alleged that this university, too, was on the UGC defaulter list. Students have filed an FIR in the matter.
