KU seeks more powers to rein in autonomous colleges

‘Colleges have ventured beyond exercising autonomy in academic matters’

The University of Kerala has sought greater powers in acting against erring autonomous institutions for violation of prescribed norms.

The Senate of the varsity which met on Wednesday discussed the alleged violations committed by affiliating autonomous institutions, viz., Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram, and Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, after the issue was raised through an adjournment motion by P. Sunil Kumar, Associate Professor of SD College.

It was observed that the colleges have ventured beyond exercising autonomy in academic matters. While autonomous colleges were empowered with the freedom to design new courses, the proposed syllabus content would require the approval of the varsity’s competent bodies, viz., Board of Studies, Faculties and Academic Council. Notably, under a particular clause, the request can be ‘deemed to have been approved’ if the college did not receive a response from the varsity within a month. The duration of the long-winded process is ‘often misused as a loophole,’ the Senate noted.

Moreover, teachers appointed in the aided stream were being forced to take up classes in the unaided stream. The lack of a strict mechanism in fixing course fees was also being misused for greater profits, it was alleged. In effect, the autonomous institutions were accused of exercising administrative and financial autonomy in violation of the existing law.

Under the circumstances, the varsity has recommended to the State government to enact a legislation that would provide them an enhanced role in functioning of autonomous colleges. The inadequacies in initiating action against the institutions have also been highlighted.

Law college

Meanwhile, a section of Senate members demanded that the propriety of employees of the Kerala Law Academy Law College figuring in the statutory bodies be discussed. An adjournment motion moved by Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) activist P. Anoop called for a discussion in the matter since Law Academy came under the category of private colleges.

However, the demand was turned down since the Statute provided for discussing only one adjournment motion, the one which had a majority of votes. While 38 members backed a discussion on the autonomous colleges’ issue, as many as 21 called for debating that pertaining to the Law Academy. Interestingly, the three CPI members, including Syndicate member R. Lathadevi, were among those who voted in favour of the latter.

The budget estimates for the fiscal year 2017-18 was also passed at the Senate with a few amendments.