Thousands of students from the State have chosen to join engineering colleges in neighbouring states due to inordinate delay in the EAMCET admission process following row over fee reimbursement.
Fearing that their wards might lose valuable time in the academic year, the parents made a beeline for colleges in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Two years ago, the students had a torrid time due to Telangana and Samaikyandhra agitations forcing them to flee to neighbouring States in search of quality and uninterrupted education. This year the fee issue took a new turn thus resulting in dilemma among students. The State government was a loser in this episode as crores of rupees of revenue found its way to other States in the form of admission fee paid by students. “It is unfortunate that the atmosphere is not conducive for academics in Andhra Pradesh. With the Telangana issue yet to be resolved and as leaders are keen to raise the issue once again the agitations might be intensified, said Penchala Naidu, lecturer. Meanwhile, both the railway station and Pandit Nehru Bus Stations wore a busy look with thousands of students making their return journey to other States to attend classes after vacation on Monday.
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“Many students, who joined in institutions in other States, are returning to their respective colleges after vacation. But the EAMCET counselling will begin only on August 27. Students have lost their valuable time and their future hangs in balance”, said D. Harshavardhan, a parent.Peeved at the delay many students felt that the political leaders were playing with their lives. “How can the government change its stand on fee reimbursement which was part of the election manifesto? Students, especially those from poor and middle class families and depended on fee reimbursement, are in a dilemma over continuing their education in the State”, they said.