The Department of Primary and Secondary Education appears to be violating its own orders by granting permission to new private pre-university colleges that have flouted the rules. Earlier this year, the department, in an attempt to control the mushrooming of private institutes, had issued an order stating that no private PU college would be given permission if a government college was already functioning in a three-kilometre radius of the proposed location. Other rules stipulate the need for six lecture halls of a specified area, three laboratories and so on ( see graphics ).
However, the department has granted permission to over a hundred private PU colleges across Karnataka, many of which have been found flouting the rules. Permission was granted to many coaching centres to run as private PU colleges, sources in the State government said.
Currently, there are a 5,207 PU colleges across the State, of which 1,229 are government-run. The number of private PU colleges, at 3,199, is more than double that of their government counterparts. The remaining 779 are aided PU colleges.
Member of Legislative Council Arun Shahapur alleged that all the private PU colleges that were given permission did not meet the necessary infrastructural requirements. “There is a need for a thorough investigation into the matter.” He said that although the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) had approved only eight of the total 204 proposals received, after the election code of conduct ended on May 15, over a hundred private PU colleges were approved by the government despite not meeting the necessary conditions.
In response, the DPUE, in a press release issued on Tuesday, confirmed receiving 204 applications for opening new colleges. “In view of the code of conduct, first recognition is not yet issued to any new college. The government order issued is purely conditional and the principal secretary has directed to issue first recognition only after the conditions are met,” read the press release.
First recognition is the permission given to open a new college. However, the institution has to fulfil a set of infrastructure norms before starting classes for students.
Process for private schools
In order to improve enrolments in government schools, the Department of Primary and Secondary Education has decided to exercise discretion while granting permission to run new private schools.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister N. Mahesh said that the process would be streamlined before granting permission to start new private schools. This year, the department has received 2,429 applications for starting new schools or new sections in schools.
Some infrastructural requirements for new private PU colleges
- Within one year from the date of the letter of intent, acquire a minimum of 25,000 square feet to construct the college building, including the principal's chamber, class rooms, library etc
- Within three years from the date of letter of intent, construct on the said land a building with the following facilities and rooms, and which shall have a corridor or a veranda of at least 8 feet width abutting the entrance to the room
- Provide water, electricity and sanitary facilities in the laboratories, class rooms, office rooms and toilets making the building fit for running a pre-university college
- At least 6 lecture halls, each measuring at least 22 feet x 30 feet
- If science subjects are taught, then three laboratories — one for physics, one for chemistry and one for biology — and if electronics or computer science subjects are taught, separate laboratories for these subjects with a minimum plinth area of 24 feet x 60 feet each
