The three-member committee appointed by University of Pune (UoP) in the second week of May has finally made time to inspect a varsity-affiliated college in Ahmednagar district, operating under a tin shed since the last 14 years by infringing all norms.
Though the panel is yet to submit its report to UoP, it has discontinued new admissions and plans are afoot to shift second and third year BA students to adjacent colleges.
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The Shiv Parvati Society’s Arts College in Rashin Town does not possess minimal academic and infrastructural resources required to run such an educational institute, but has survived since 1999 without facing any action from the varsity.
In a special series, ‘Tin Shed Education’, MiD DAY had reported on May 28 (‘This is a UoP-affiliated degree college’) about the shortcomings of the institute, highlighting the necessity of action against this, and other such colleges.
“We inspected the college on Friday (July 26). However, the management has not produced any of the documents we have asked for. We are monitoring the situation and will soon submit our report to the varsity,” said Prin Nandkumar Nikam, who is heading the committee.
Asked whether the college may be derecognised, he said, “We are yet to reach any conclusion. But it is true that a civic school in a rural area is much better than this college. The chairman of the institute Rajkumar Andhalkar assured us that he would soon submit the documents including old masters, attendance catalogues, etc.
But looking at the condition of the academy, I really doubt it is maintaining such records.” Meanwhile, in another goof-up the college has still not declared the first year BA results. “The college administration has not even handed over the answer sheets to teachers. During our visit we took all the papers and handed them over to UoP’s exam department. Once the result is declared, we will get them transferred to nearby colleges,” said Nikam.
UoP’s senate member Shivaji Sable, who visited the college in May during the annual exams, demanded that the institute be closed permanently. “Though the college only has the Arts division, 445 students are enrolled here. The chairman and principal of the college are literally paying no heed to it. The teaching and non-teaching staff has not received salaries for many years. The varsity should shut it down for good, as ultimately it is sullying UoP’s reputation.” Sable said.
Bandu Janjire, a non-teaching employee of the college, who has been serving here since 2001, said, “Though the college is government-aided, we are not getting our pay since joining here. So, while taking action against the academy, the varsity administration should make sure that we get our dues.”u00a0