Lack of funds forcing city colleges to try alternate methods to survive

The colleges’ financial crisis has compelled the institutions to raise capital by seeking donations from trusts, organisations and donors, hiring teachers on temporary basis, working with limited faculty, increasing fees of some courses, introducing self-financing courses, charging exorbitant fees for unaided courses and using the fees of these courses to pay off salaries of faculty of aided courses.

Mumbai : Colleges under the state government have not been receiving adequate funds from the state since the last four years. This has created a financial crunch which has forced colleges to try out alternate methods of raising funds to sustain daily functioning.

Government aided and private aided colleges revealed they have not received financial aid which is necessary for maintaining infrastructure, stationery, managing bills and growth. In addition, salaries of teachers and principals are also paid through these funds. The state has also initiated a freeze on hiring of teachers as they do not have funds to pay off the salaries of teachers.

This financial crisis has compelled colleges to raise capital by seeking donations from trusts, organisations and donors, hiring teachers on temporary basis, working with limited faculty, increasing fees of some courses, introducing self-financing courses, charging exorbitant fees for unaided courses and using the fees of these courses to pay off salaries of faculty of aided courses.

Authorities of degree colleges revealed they have introduced new self financing courses which have high fees compared to normal degree courses. Marie Fernandes, Principal of St Andrew’s College said, “Self-financing courses are the need of the hour as students are interested in trying out something different. The fees is different as there are professionals and visiting faculty involved who provide a practical insight to students.”

The fees of unaided courses are used to fund the functioning of aided section of the college. “As we cannot increase fees for aided courses like Bachelor of Commerce, Arts and Science (BCom, BA, BSc) and we do not receive funds from the state we have to find some way to sustain these courses. The salaries of teachers for these courses need to be paid so we use the high-end fees from unaided courses.”

Colleges also increase fees for courses to generate funding. Rajeshwari Mehta, a student said, “Every year the fees for all courses is increased by some percentage. Till students do not make a noise about the fee hike, colleges try to increase fees and charge more. Colleges often claim they are providing additional facilities and services to justify hike in fees.”

Teachers have been facing a tough time due to this financial crunch. “Visiting faculty are paid high-end fees but due to this crisis colleges cannot afford to appoint professionals. This deteriorates the quality of education as students do not get necessary professional exposure. Temporary teachers keep changing and this does not help build a relationship with students,” Srikanth More, a teacher, said.

Students claimed large number of admissions are given on basis of donations and management seats for a price. Jobin Murli, a student said, “Large number of seats are reserved under management quota where seats are sold for a price. For the same course we have to pay an exorbitant amount and I wonder where does this money go? Where are all the donations going?”

As per students it is high time that the state should provide funds and this in turn will prevent malpractices in colleges. Rebecca Lobo, a student said, “If the government is not providing money for a college under its own administration then the college is bound to try methods to gain capital. Corruption follows like a vicious circle. But students are at the center of this circle as ultimately we suffer due to lack of funds.”