At a time when job aspirants are forced to run from pillar to post for equivalency certificates to establish the validity of their courses, the laxity of the Higher Education Department is threatening to push a fresh batch into uncertainty.
The admission process for the part-time diploma courses in polytechnic colleges under the State Board of Technical Education has raised eyebrows with its provisions contravening the stipulations of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Meaning of ‘part time’
The AICTE, in its approval process handbook for 2019-20, clearly defines ‘part time’ courses as those conducted in the evenings, i.e., from 5.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., for six days a week, in an institution which has regular or ‘first shift’ courses.
These courses are meant only for working professionals or professionals with at least two years of work experience. Notably, the duration of the courses should be “a minimum of one or two semesters in excess of that of the regular course.”
Seemingly ignorant of the clauses, the Directorate of Technical Education has released its admission prospectus that specifies the duration of the part-time diploma programme as three years spread across six semesters, whereas AICTE norms require part-time courses to be seven or eight semesters long.
Adding to the confusion, the programme has been referred to as ‘first shift part time,’ which itself is contradictory.
Another error
Yet another error that emphasises the laxity in preparing the prospectus is found in the introductory passage on its second page.
It states that the prospectus is meant for the admission to diploma programmes for the year ‘2018-19’, sparking doubts that the content was lifted from that issued the previous year.
The pitfall
Allegations are rife that the decision to persist with a six-semester format for the part-time course in violation of the AICTE stipulations is intended to suit the interests of government employees who pursue such courses for career advancement. However, the move could impact the job or higher education prospects of others who enrolled for the course, since the onus will be on them to prove the validity of a course that goes against the AICTE norms. The admission process commenced on July 1 with the deadline for submission of applications set as July 18.
