Cracking the whip on integrated pre-university colleges, the Department of Primary and Secondary Education has, for the first time, withdrew the recognition of an integrated pre-university college earlier this week. This move, officials hope will send out a strong signal to other such colleges
The order, a copy of which is with The Hindu, states that recognition of FIITJEE at HSR Layout has been withdrawn under the provisions of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983. The department has stated that the registration for the college was mired in problems and that its infrastructure was inadequate.
Integrated PU colleges conduct classes for both the PU syllabus and competitive exams such as the Common Entrance Test (CET), National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, and the Joint Entrance Examination. The department in December 2016 had issued show-cause notices to two integrated colleges in Bengaluru, including FIITJEE, HSR Layout, for violating many of its guidelines. The colleges were also asked to submit an explanation about why the department should not withdraw their recognition.
Officials of FIITJEE, HSR Layout, said they had not enrolled I PU students for the 2017-2018 academic year and that over a hundred students in II PU would be allowed to give their exam in March 2018. They are yet to receive the Government Order regarding withdrawal of affiliation. The move has received mixed response from students and parents. While a section of parents feel that it is a step in the right direction, others have criticised it saying there is a need for the department to frame rules and legalise integrated coaching. “Why should the department act against a college if it conducts PU classes and coaching under one roof. It saves children time and energy to do both at one location,” a parent said.
