Kerala Embraces Private Varsities Amidst Opposition Concerns

The Kerala Assembly has passed the Kerala State Private Universities Bill, 2025, marking a policy shift towards private education. Opposition voices urge careful scrutiny of potential impacts on public universities. Debates highlight concerns over land requirements and regulatory funds while the government promises strict oversight for new private institutions.

The Kerala Assembly has passed the Kerala State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, initiating a significant policy change. This move by the CPI(M)-led government, traditionally opposed to education privatization, has drawn both support and criticism from various political leaders.

During the assembly discussions, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan acknowledged the bill's merit but urged for a detailed impact study. He highlighted the risks to public universities and suggested prioritizing reputable education agencies for new private institutions, amidst concerns about unaided colleges facing closures due to declining enrollments.

Despite criticisms over impractical regulatory conditions, like the 10-acre land requirement, Higher Education Minister R Bindu emphasized stringent regulations for private universities. The government's vision is to transform Kerala into a global education hub, aligning the bill with this long-term objective.

(With inputs from agencies.)