THE CHANCELLOR and the State Government are equally accountable for the current educational scenario in the State, says Vishnudutt Sharma.
The Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) national secretary was speaking at a press conference organised after the conclusion of a three-day 39th regional convention at hotel Apsara in the City on Saturday.
Sharma said, “Universities in the State are in a state of neglect and it reflects from the fact that they have been allowed to degrade from the status of temples of education to political arenas.
Not only the universities but also the Raj Bhawan suffered a blow in this wrangle. Vice-Chancellors of Indore and Gwalior had to put in their papers, while that of Bhoj Open University is embroiled in a controversy over selling degrees. Even search committees for appointing V-Cs have been unceremoniously dissolved.
The move to grant more powers to the V-Cs by reducing those of the Registrars in the name of administrative reforms is aimed more at concentrating powers in the hands of the Chancellor whose public speeches full of unbecoming allusions has also created controversy and belittled the high post.
“If the Chancellor has been guilty in this respect, the State government has not fared much better. Its role in conducting D Mat exams through private colleges is highly questionable and the State Legislative Assembly speaker chastised the Health Minister to remind him of his duties. The sword of de-recognition hanging over the five medical colleges of the State is a serious issue and, if executed, will not only deprive students from pursuing medical courses but will also be shameful for the government and the people.”
{{/usCountry}}“If the Chancellor has been guilty in this respect, the State government has not fared much better. Its role in conducting D Mat exams through private colleges is highly questionable and the State Legislative Assembly speaker chastised the Health Minister to remind him of his duties. The sword of de-recognition hanging over the five medical colleges of the State is a serious issue and, if executed, will not only deprive students from pursuing medical courses but will also be shameful for the government and the people.”
{{/usCountry}}135 posts of principals, 1100 readers and 300 non-teaching staff are vacant on the college level. 33 districts out of 48 have only acting district education officers (DEO). 1170 schools do not have their own building and 1204 do not have requisite laboratories. The frequent changes introduced in the B Ed admission policy have created rampant confusion leading to deterioration in this sector, he added.
The fee structure of most courses has been left undecided giving a leeway to college administration for taking as much fees as they like. The Employment Board has been unable to fulfill any of its responsibilities.
The proposals, on education and other aspects in the State, promulgated by the participants in convention will soon be petitioned to the Chancellor and the Chief Minister.