Gist: For edu sector improvement, UP Guv shared her views on Anganwadi, University rankings etc
Lucknow Mar 6: Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel wants universities to move beyond the classroom.
She believes higher education institutions must become active drivers of social development.
The Governor shared this vision on edu sector improvement on Friday during a meeting at Jan Bhavan with a visiting media delegation from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Agartala.
Village Adoption Plan
Governor Patel proposed a specific model connecting universities with the rural sector for holistic growth.
“Each University should sponsor five villages”, she recommended.
Under this plan, universities would use their expertise to support rural areas through education and community projects.
She argued that a university’s success depends on its contribution to the surrounding society, not just the degrees it awards.
Anganwadi Push
The Governor also focused on early childhood development. She identified Anganwadi centers as the vital starting point for every child. To ensure full enrollment, she proposed several key steps:
- Household Surveys: Teams should conduct systematic checks to find and enroll every eligible child.
- Local Management: Centers should hire local residents to manage operations. This builds community trust and improves efficiency.
- The “KG to PG” Path: This model creates a smooth transition from early childhood care to postgraduate studies.
She also mentioned about the distribution of books, uniforms and furniture to Anganwadi centers to encourage the kids.
Besides, the Governor also suggested CSR Funding based on performance of the centres.
Inspiring Younger Students
Governor Patel suggested a unique way to bridge the gap between primary and higher education.
She urged universities to invite school students to graduation ceremonies. She believes that seeing graduates in their robes motivates young learners to stay in school.
Better Standards Through Monitoring
During her tenure, Uttar Pradesh universities have significantly improved their accreditation scores. The Governor attributed this to strict oversight.
She personally leads day-long review meetings to help institutions meet the standards set by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Following the discussion, the PIB Agartala team took a guided tour of the Raj Bhavan complex. They are currently on a six-day Uttar Pradesh tour to study the state’s development.