Championing Language Studies: The Impacts of the English and Foreign Languages University Act 2006

The legislature of India enacted the English and Foreign Languages Universities (EFLU) Act 2006 on 10th January 2007 to incorporate and establish a teaching University for promoting and developing English, other foreign languages, literature, and other related issues incidental to it.

The EFLU Act, 2006

The EFLU Act comes under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, that is, the Department of Higher Education.

The Act consists of 46 sections including the following:

• Sections 1 to 10 deal with general provisions of the Act.

• Section 11 to 46 consists of the schedules of the Act that deals with the officers of the University, authorities, power to make statutes and ordinances, right to appeal, power to remove difficulties.

Provisions of the Act

Establishment of the University – Section 3

Section 3 states that a University called “The English and Foreign Languages University” will be established in Andhra Pradesh. The headquarters of the University will be in Hyderabad, and other campuses will be in Shillong and Lucknow.

Objects of the University- Section 5

The functions of the University will include the following:

• The primary objective is enumerated under Section 5 of the Act, that is, developing intercultural knowledge of civilisations.
• To advance and disseminate knowledge by providing various instructional, extension and research facilities in teaching different languages, including English and foreign languages, and literature in India.
• To train language teachers in several ways and approaches suitable to the Indian context.
• To develop indigenous ideas for testing language proficiency.
• To make provisions pertaining to innovative teaching, learning material in electronic, and printed media.
• To take appropriate steps for interdisciplinary studies and research in cultural and literary studies.

Powers of the University- Section 6

The following are the various powers conferred upon the University according to Section 6 of the Act:

1. Provide instructions in several relevant branches of learning and frame provisions for the development and dissemination of knowledge for the fulfilment of the object of the University.
2. Grant diplomas and other certificates with academic distinctions based on examinations and evaluation and withdraw such certification, certificates, degrees, and academic excellence for good and reasonable cause.
3. Organise and undertake extramural studies, extension services and other training programmes. Confer honorary degrees and other distinctions.
4. Institute professorships, principalships, lectureships, readership, and other teaching and academic positions, as required by the University.
5. Establish campuses, certification programs, specialised laboratories, and units for research and instruction in India or outside India.

Jurisdiction of the University- Section 7

Section 7 states that the University will have its jurisdiction all over India.

As per Section 8, the University shall not discriminate against persons based on their caste, creed, sex, race or class. The University shall not conduct any examinations to appoint any member of a particular religious group as a teacher.

The Statute of the University Attached to the Act

Officer of the University- Section 11

As per Section 11, the following shall consist of the members of the University:

1. Chancellor
2. Vice-chancellor
3. Pro-Vice Chancellor
4. Deans of Schools
5. A Registrar
6. A Finance officer
7. A Controller of examinations
8. A Librarian
9. Other officers as may be required by the Statute.

The Chancellor- Section 12

Per Section 12, the Chancellor will be the head and Visitor of the University; and preside over the meetings and conferences.

Vice-Chancellor- Section 13

Section 13 provides that the Vice-Chancellor will be the visitor of the University and shall Act as the Principal executive and academic officer of the University. The Vice-chancellor shall have the power to review the decisions of various authorities.

Pro-Vice Chancellor and Deans of the University

Per Sections 14 and 15, there shall be a Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of the University, respectively, to perform various acts prescribed under the Act.

The Registrar- Section 16

Under Section 16, the Registrar will have the power to enter into any agreements and sign any records or documents on behalf of the University.

The Financial Officer, Controller of Examination, and Librarian

According to Sections 17, 18, and 19, a Financial Officer, Controller of Examination, and Librarian, respectively, are appointed per this Act’s provisions and perform all such powers and functions as required.

Authorities of the University- Section 21

According to section 21, the following are the various authorities of the University:

1. The Court
2. Executive Council
3. Academic Council
4. Schools of Studies
5. Finance Committee, and
6. Other authorities.

The Court- Section 22

Section 22 states that the Court will be constituted and managed per the provisions of the Act. The members of the Court shall be chosen from among the teachers, students, and employees of the University.

The Executive Council- Section 23

Section 23 states that the executive council will be the principal administrative body of the University. The executive body members will be constituted from the elected members of the Court.

The Academic Council- Section 24

According to Section 24, the Academic Council shall be considered the principal academic organ of the University, which shall act according to the Statute’s provisions. The academic council coordinates and exercises general supervision over the educational policies of the University. The composition of the Council, the terms of office of the members, and their powers and functions shall be determined by the Statute’s provisions. The executive council members shall also be from among the elected members of the Court.

The School of Studies, Finance Committee, and other Authorities

According to Sections 25, 26, and 27 of the Act, the constitution, powers and functions of the School of Studies, Financial Committee, and other Authorities shall be as per the provisions of the Statute.

Powers of the University

Power to make Statute- Section 28

The council will have the power to make rules regarding the following matters as provided by the statute:

1. The constitution, functions, and powers of various authorities and bodies of the University will be constituted under this Act.
2. The appointment of the members of the said Authorities.
3. Confer the autonomous status to the colleges and institutions or other departments, and establish schools, certificates tres, departments, colleges, halls, and other institutions and abolish the same.
4. Grant and withdraw the recognition to institutions, confer honorary degrees, withdraw the degrees, certificates, diplomas, and other academic distinctions, and manage the colleges and institutions of the University.
5. Delegate powers vested upon the authorities and officers of the University, maintain discipline among the students and employees and do such other matters as may be prescribed by this Act.

Power to Make Ordinances- Section 30

The ordinances may be made for the following matters relating to the University:

1. Admit students to the University and enrol them, lay down the course of study for different degrees, certificates and diplomas of the University, set the medium of examination and instruction in the University, award degrees, certificates, diplomas, and other academic distinctions qualifications for the students.
2. Fix the fees to be charged for various courses in the University and fees for admission, examination, and providing degrees and diplomas, and lay down the conditions for awarding scholarships, fellowships, studentships, prizes, and medals.
3. Establish the rules regarding the conduct of examination, including the manner of appointment of the examining bodies, terms of office and duties of such examiners, examining bodies, and moderators.
4. Determine the students’ residence conditions and teaching as well as the method of collaboration and cooperation with different universities and agencies.
5. Create such other bodies as it may deem necessary for the improvement of the University’s academic life and decide their composition and functions, set up machinery for the redressal of grievances of the employees of the University, and other matters as the ordinances may require.

Subsection 2 of the section states that the first ordinance-making power lies with the Vice-chancellor with the prior permission of the Central Government. It shall be able to amend, repeal and add to any ordinance made by the Executive Council.

Sixty-six English language and foreign Languages University ordinances have been established up to 2016.

Power to Remove Difficulties- Section 44

In case of any difficulties when implementing the Act, the Central Government may make provisions to remove such problems by order published in the Official Gazette. Such provisions shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Act.

The provisions made by the Central Government shall be laid before the Houses of Parliament, which shall decide whether to consent to the condition or call for any modification in it.

Conclusion

The EFLU Act of 2006 has been proven to be the landmark Act to mould and uphold the status of English and other foreign languages throughout the country.