Iyer supports Self Financing Professional Colleges Act

Kochi, Jan 27 (UNI) Putting his weight behind the Self-Financing Professional Colleges Act of 2006, former Supreme Court Judge V R Krishna Iyer today said the Act was good as it made higher education accessible to the common man.

Addressing a gathering after the launch of ''Aagolikarana Kalathe Vidyabhasam'' (Education in Times of Globalisation), a book by Kerala Education Minister M A Baby here, My Iyer said there was no problem with the Act and should be implemented.

He said the Act made it possible for poor people to pursue higher education whether its in engineering or medicine.

My Iyer said with the influx of private professional colleges, education had become a 'market commodity'.

The Act effectively controls these colleges for the benefit of the common man, he said.

Regarding the Kerala High Court ruling quashing certain sections of the Act, Mr Iyer said the court has shredded the Act making it ineffective.

Referring to criticisms on judgements, he said it can be done as everyone has the right to do so.

In the function, Mr Iyer gave a copy of the book to senior Supreme Court Advocate Indira Jaisingh in the presence of Mr Baby.

Later, speaking to reporters, Mr Baby said it was the Cabinet's decision to appeal against the High Court ruling in the Supreme Court.

He said the government was open to suggestions from the managments of the private professional colleges and discussions at various levels were on.

UNI