Faux Pass: Without basic infrastructure in place govt gives nod to start 102 new colleges
Srinagar: In a bizarre move, the J&K government has made newly announced degree colleges functional from make shift arrangements in various parts of the state, exposing the laxity of authorities in providing proper infrastructure to the students.
Notably, the governor led administration during the past two months has announced 102 new colleges across the states which are supposed to be made functional in a phased manner.
An official said the administration had decided to start the degree colleges from rented accommodation so that students seeking admission in these institutions will get proper availability of infrastructure.
“But in most of the areas, the colleges have been started from make shift arrangements in schools and other buildings,” the official said.
For example, the newly announced degree college Aluchi Bagh has been made functional from a government middle school for which the department is utilising few shabby rooms as classrooms and staff room of the college.
“This is mockery of the higher education. If the government was not in position to hire spacious building on rent then it shouldn’t have announced the colleges in bulk,” the official said.
He said the government announced new colleges despite running its existing colleges from makeshift arrangements for last more than eight years. Already reported around two dozen colleges are without permanent campuses for past more than eight years since they were announced under various schemes by the government.
“Besides dearth of accommodation, new colleges don’t have adequate staff available as well. The teachers are being shifted from existing colleges to make the new colleges functional. The move has deteriorated the academic scenario in the existing colleges,” the official said.
The announcement of new colleges has already pocketed criticism from various quarters given the department’s failure to strengthen the infrastructure of its existing colleges which are without permanent campuses from almost a decade now.
“Out of 102 colleges only few colleges announced for border areas fulfil the requisite parameters for establishment of new colleges. Rest of the colleges announced in towns in cities have been announced in violation of norms,” the official added.
He said the colleges should have at least a distance of 15 kilometres from another college and should have five higher secondary schools as feeding institutions.
“But the colleges are being set up at a distance of three to four kilometres without having any feeding higher secondary schools,” the official revealed.
Secretary higher education department, Talat Parvez Ruhella when contacted said the colleges have been announced on basis of public demand and population in the catchment areas.
“The construction of buildings will be started on war footing so that students are provided better infrastructure in their respective institutions,” he said.
He said most of the colleges will be started in rented accommodation with proper infrastructure put in place for the students.
KV Correspondent
