After schools, head count may begin in colleges soon

The state's Higher and Technical Education department is toying with the idea of conducting a census similar to the one that was concluded in city schools yesterday; student-teacher ratio and attendance to be evaluated as well

The state's Higher and Technical Education department is toying with the idea of conducting a census similar to the one that was concluded in city schools yesterday; student-teacher ratio and attendance to be evaluated as well
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Alarmed over the shocking numbers of ghost students shown on the roll books by school authorities to claim government grants, the state's Higher and Technical Education department may soon undertake a census similar to the one that was conducted in government-aided schools across the city from October 3-5. In course of the survey, the quality of teaching and attendance of students will also be evaluated.


No more bunking: Officials are toying with the idea of linking students'
attendance to salaries given to professors. representation pic

"We are thinking of launching a drive in colleges, the modalities of which are being worked out. Just like in the schools, we are planning to bring parity in the student-teacher ratio, and will be transferring surplus teachers to colleges that are short-staffed," the Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope told MiD DAY.

Tope added, "It has been observed that the students bunk lectures for two reasons: wither their only aim is to bag the degree, or the quality of teaching is poor. If we link the attendance of the students to the salary given to the professors, things may improve. As of now, it's just a proposal," added Tope. Each year, the government spends crores on school and college education, a substantial amount of which is allegedly pocketed by unscrupulous officials in the sector.

In course of the drive conducted at schools across the state in the past three days, it was discovered that about 25 lakh fake students were registered on the rolls by schools authorities, to claim government grants.

However, some of the cabinet members, who are directly or indirectly involved in running educational institutions have opposed the government's decision to rope in Revenue department officials to conduct the recent school census, stating that it should have been conducted only by the School Education Department officials.