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| Govt.opening colleges like bakeries | | | The approval given by the Government to the plan of opening 22 new degree colleges in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir indicates that the successive state Governments have been supported by the centre in setting up degree colleges even in remote rural areas. Around 2004 the plan for opening as many as 18 degree colleges in the state was approved besides nine polytechnics by the central Government. In fact it was a matter of surprise for people and academicians when the
Jammu and Kashmir Government announced that it had approved setting up of 22 new degree colleges in the state. The degree colleges will be set up under the centrally sponsored scheme 'Establishment of Model Degree Colleges in Educationally Backward districts'. "In all, 22 new degree colleges will be set up in the state and this will revolutionise higher education scenario in the coming years," Abdul Gani Malik, Education Minister has claimed. While on one hand one had expected state-wide appreciation to the plan on the other there were academicians and politicians who were critical of the Government exercise in selecting the places for the new colleges. Some among them remarked that place selection may have been done by draws..Others talked of appeasement policy of the Government for wooing some legislators and ministers.But the Minister for education has rubbished these allegations when he also said that a comprehensive survey was conducted to ascertain viability of setting up these colleges, keeping in view the genuineness and geographical educational backwardness of the area.The colleges will come up in Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district, Tangmarg in Baramulla district, Chrar-i-Sharief in Budgam district, Zanaskar in Kargil district, Marwah in Kishtwar district, Mahanpur in Kathua district, Surankote in Poonch district, Kalakote in Rajouri district, Nobra in Leh district and Sarah Bagha Mahore in Reasi district.This way the Government claims that backward and remote places like Marwah in Kishtwar,Nobra in Leh,Zanaskar in Kargil district and Sarah Bagha in Reasi district have been covered under the establishment of degree colleges in educationally backward districts.With the clearance of the project for setting up 22 new degree colleges when in 2004 opening of 14 degree colleges had been sanctioned people,academicians and political leaders has started wishing for new colleges at the doorstep of people in their constituencies.
As far as the idea of opening new degree colleges is concerned one should not criticise it. But before clearance is given to such projects the Government should review whether the student population was enough to warrant opening of a degree college. Last year Chief Minister approved a Rs.40 crore action plan for strengthening infrastructure in degree colleges under plan assistance of Rs.100 crores.There are as many as 74 degree colleges in the state and this way if the entire Rs.40 crores are to be divided among all the colleges each college may get Rs.1.80 crores.Atleast this sum is too meager to upgrade the infrastructure in 18 new degree colleges that were opened in the state during the last six years. Interestingly it took the state Government more than three to four years to create various posts for the new colleges that were opened a few years ago. It was last year that the cabinet approved creation of 414 posts for 18 new degree colleges which included 18 posts of principals and 180 posts of lecturers. This way many colleges opened between 2006 and 2008 had neither the principals nor the sufficient teaching staff. Both the Government of India and the sate Government need to realise that opening degree colleges was not like opening bakery shops. Prior to the opening of the academic activities in such colleges the Government should build the infrastructure. Past experience has revealed that senior lecturers have rejected promotion when they were sent as principals to colleges opened in remote areas having no road connectivity.Thus,excellence in education cannot be linked to opening degree colleges without proper infrastructure.
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