On August 13, more than 100 students from Malad’s N.L Dalmiya College, started a signature campaign demanding back their money, spent on an add-on communications and employment course, which they allege was taken forcefully
On August 13, more than 100 students from Malad’s N.L Damliya College, started a signature campaign demanding back their money, spent on an add-on communications and employment course, which they allege was taken forcefully. The students paid Rs 2100 for this personality development course called the 'Student Enrichment Employment Development' program, SEED.
"At the time of admissions, we were told that if we don’t pay for this course, we wouldn’t be given admission. Should this course, be the ground on which students are accepted and rejected in a college?" asked Shivam Dubey, a S.Y.B.A.F (Bachelors of Accounting and Finance) student at the college.
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The students claim that not only are the SEED classes irregular but the non payment of the course fees, results in 'admission decline' on the college’s website. “Our forms don’t get accepted online unless the payment of Rs 2100 is made. It shows that the payment is mandatory.” Said Karan Vishwakarma, a second year BAF (Bachelors of Accounting and Finance) student. This year, though the college opened from June, the SEED classes started from July, conducting only two classes in the entire month, allege students. “We were told that there would be two classes in a week but there have been only two classes in the entire month.” added Karan.
When Midday contacted the Principal, NN Pandey, he said, “The course offers the students a chance to develop their personality, learn Vedic math, and even do the English speaking courses. Even then, when some students came and said they didn’t want to do the course, we said okay, don’t attend. The course is not compulsory, whatever conflict is there, are politically motivated.”
“We have arrived to certain conclusions on this issue, after listening to the grievances of the students. Our only question to the college is, that if you claim that the course is not compulsory, why not pay back the fee that you collected from students who were not even interested in the course?” said Rohit Chandode, from the Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad.
The add-on course has existed in the college from the last 3 years, without any permission from the university. “Though colleges often start such add on courses on their own, we don’t give permission for the same. If they do, they are not supposed to make it compulsory, it should be an option for the students to choose,” said M.A Khan, registrar of the Mumbai University. Jainish Shah, an FYBCOM student, said “We were told that the classes are going to be conducted once every week, which doesn’t happen. We are told that certificates are to be given, which does not happen. It’s not easy for everyone to shell out Rs 2100 for nothing.”
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