Govt panel flags low enrollment, infra deficit in new colleges

Srinagar, Feb 1: In a startling revelation, a government panel has revealed low enrollment and infrastructure deficit in the newly established colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the official documents available, a high level report framed by the government has revealed that the majority of the newly established degree colleges have failed to attract the students for admissions while the construction of the permanent buildings for these colleges has also hit a road block for various reasons.
The Higher Education Department has already submitted the committee report to the General Administration Department (GAD) in March last year.
“A meeting was held in May 2022 and it was decided to obtain fresh status of the enrollment of the newly Sanctioned Degree Colleges,” the document reads.
The report of the committee constituted by J&K government to oversee Rationalization of Higher Education Institutions has stated that out of 51 Colleges 50 were sanctioned by the State Administrative Council (SAC) in the year 2019-20.
“The colleges were made operational in the makeshift arrangements with a present enrollment of 12206. The funds for construction of 4S college buildings have been provided under UT Capex Budget,” the document reads.
The documents read that construction of three Colleges (Paddar, Vilgam and Singhpora Pattan) expenditure was being met out of Centrally Sponsored Scheme under RUSA approved by GOI.
The committee report has pointed out a grim picture of some of the newly established colleges in terms of the enrollment and the status of the infrastructure.
For instance, Government Degree College (GDC) Ashmuqam Anantnag was the 51 new GDCs sanctioned by the J&K government in 2019-20.
“Despite the lapse of three years, the dispute between two localities regarding the selection of college site could not be resolved,” the document reads.
The committee has reported that no admission was made since its inception following which the committee decided to take up the matter with DC Anantnag to resolve the dispute between two parties.
GDC Mongri Panchari Udhampur has also reported zero admission in the last three years due to pending finalization of site for establishment of the College.
Similarly, GDC Chatisinghpora Anantnag started functioning from a makeshift arrangement in Government Middle School Building.
“The enrollment of the College in the two academic sessions remained at 10 students. The principal along with the supporting staff was posted for the establishment of the College. However the department under the rationalization initiative shifted these 10 students to the nearby Colleges of Government Degree College Mattan and Women College Anantnag,” read the official document.
“It was decided by the committee that the reasons for low enrolment and measures to improve the same shall be worked out by the Director Colleges in consultation with Deputy Commissioner Anantnag,” it reads.
As per the official documents, out of 5o colleges around 22 colleges have enrolment up to 200 students since establishment of these Colleges in the year 2019-20.
To ascertain the reasons for low enrollment in these colleges, despite huge investment involved in building infrastructure and human resource development of these Colleges, the government had recommended to constitute a sub-committee headed by Director Colleges with Nodal Principal Jammu and Kashmir and concerned College Principals as its members.
“The sub-committee will examine the reasons for low enrolment and measures to improve the same and submit its reply within one month,” the document reads.
The committee had also recommended that in-case the enrolment does not improve, measures for rationalization of colleges may be suggested by the committee.
A top official said the Higher Education Department (HED) is deliberating on low enrollment and lack of infrastructure in the newly established colleges.
“The government is scheduled to convene a meeting in this regard and further decisions on functioning of these colleges will be taken accordingly,” the official said. (KNO)