Educators express concern over possible autonomous status for eight colleges
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 21
A group of veteran educationists of the state has voiced concern over the state government’s intention to seek autonomy for eight of the state’s most prestigious government colleges.
These colleges include, Government Mohindra College, Patiala, which was founded in 1875; SCD Govt College, Ludhiana (1920); Government College, Malerkotla (1926); Government College, Hoshiarpur (1927); SR Government College for Women Amritsar (1932); Government College for Girls, Patiala (1941); Govt College for Girls, Ludhiana (1943), and Government College, Mohali (1986).
Former professors and principals believe that these colleges have played a pivotal role in offering quality education to students at a low cost. For years, the alumni of these institutions have held positions of pride, locally, nationally and globally, in a variety of disciplines such as politics, industry, business, bureaucracy, academics, defence, arts, literature and sports. It was the collective responsibility of all Punjabis and governments to preserve the legacy and glory of these institutions, they opined.
“We are concerned that granting ‘autonomous status’ to these colleges may have severe implications. First, the fees would be raised, making education more expensive, depriving outstanding underprivileged children of the opportunity to receive a good education. Second, it would have a negative impact on the recruitment, advancement and working conditions of the teaching, library and laboratory staff. Third, students intending to migrate will confront challenges. Above all, it would result in unwarranted and unneeded intrusion by the Central Government in the functioning of these colleges via UGC,” said Jaipal Singh, a retired professor from SCD Government College here.
It should be noted that the only benefit of pursuing autonomous status for these colleges appears to be an additional annual funding of Rs 5 to 20 lakh per college from the UGC.
Educationists believe that a large percentage of this will have to be used to convene meetings of various committees, as well as additional expenses for conducting examinations and generating numerous reports in accordance with the UGC guidelines.
Presently, the major shortcoming of these and other government colleges in the state is that there are only 157 regular instructors working against 2,348 sanctioned positions. For the past two to three decades, temporary accommodations have been provided by recruiting part-time or guest faculty. In light of this, educationists believe that pursuing autonomy is absurd.
“Thus, we earnestly urge the Chief Minister to review the matter and withdraw this ill-conceived plan. We further request that prompt steps be taken to supply regular teaching and other staff in all government colleges in the state,” expressed Jaipal Singh, retired associate professor and former president and General Secretary Punjab Government College Teachers’ Association (GCTA), on behalf of Dr Manmohan Singh, former Punjab Secretary Department of Higher Education; Gurpal Singh and Karnail Singh, former Punjab DPIs (Colleges), and Inderjit Gill Vashisht, Dr Parmjit Singh, Dr Bikkar Singh, Darshan Singh Gill, Mohinder Singh Jassal and Sant Surinderpal Singh, all retired principals.
Points raised
- Fees would be raised, making education more expensive, depriving outstanding underprivileged children of the opportunity to receive a good education
- There would be a negative impact on the recruitment, advancement and working conditions of the teaching, library and laboratory staff
- Students intending to migrate will confront challenges
- There would be unwarranted intrusion by the Central Government in the functioning of these colleges via UGC
