Scarcity in undergraduate courses has begun to provide nightmarish experience for parents, as their children very often end up in utter frustration for failing to join their favourite course in the institution of their choice in the district.
The incident at Chowki here, where a girl ended her life on Tuesday, reportedly disgusted over failing to get admission for higher studies despite securing 80 per cent marks, could not be seen as an isolated incident in the light of sharp demand-supply gap in undergraduate seats. According to the parents, the girl despite seeking admission in several colleges in the district failed to get allotment from any institution, driving her to take the extreme step.
Speaking to The Hindu , Kannur University Vice Chancellor Khader Mangad said that the university could accommodate only around 11,500 aspirants for undergraduate courses in around 120 affiliated colleges in Kannur and Kasaragod districts, and Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad district.
35,212 applicants
The university this year had received online application from as many as 35,212 students, thus making it clear that nearly 20,000 students would have to pursue higher education in institutions in and outside the State or through distant education courses.
In the given scenario, only those who get above 95 per cent marks in Plus Two stream find place in the first allotment list, while others were made to spend uncertain hours till subsequent allotments, Dr. Mangad said.
22 colleges
According to data provided by the Kannur University, the institution has 22 colleges in the district, including four government and two aided colleges, imparting undergraduate courses in the district.
In its report, the P. Prabhakaran Commission, instituted to look into aspects for comprehensive development of Kasaragod, stated that only 10 per cent of students were able to seek admission under merit quota, while a handful others managed to get admission by paying hefty development fund demanded by various unaided institutions.
The Prabhakaran Commission on its part had underscored the need to commence fresh courses in existing colleges, increasing the existing seats and setting up of new colleges imparting professional courses.
The panel further said the situation gets further aggravated in the light of 50 per cent students getting admitted to government colleges under various reservation categories.
The commission’s recommendation to set up more professional, women and law colleges continues to remain in paper as no steps had been taken to implement the proposal.
Prabhakaran Commission had stressed the need for fresh courses, more seats, new colleges
Only those with above 95% marks in Plus Two find place on first allotment list
