Tamil Nadu: Rs 62 crore for launch of 264 new courses in arts and science colleges

CHENNAI: The State Higher Education Department on Wednesday earmarked Rs 62 crore to start 264 new courses in government arts and science colleges, according to sources in the department.

The courses will be offered in 61 of the 91 government arts and science colleges in the State and will begin in the current academic year itself. “Classrooms and labs have been audited to check if these courses can be accommodated in colleges,” the source said.

While new or additional equipment for classrooms and labs are yet to be installed in colleges, the source clarified that the funds would help in facilitating the introduction of these new courses. “Earlier, the government had approved courses, but these programmes were often abandoned by colleges due to lack of funds. This time we have made sure that funds are available there. Estimates are being prepared for the break-up and we will sanction specialised funds soon,” the source added.

Of the total number of courses, 75 will be offered at the undergraduate level, 53 at the postgraduate level and 136 for MPhil and PhD students, claimed the source. “Courses have been shortlisted, based on the needs in various colleges. For example, we have started nutrition and poultry in a Namakkal college,” the source said, pointing that most courses would offer mainstream subjects mostly.

Usually up to 60 students are admitted in undergraduate programmes and 25 in PG programmes. This means that nearly 6,000 seats are added this year. Last year 320 additional seats were added to meet the demand in government colleges as most admissions were finished in the first week itself.

The courses will require a total additional strength of 270 teachers for the first year and according to the source, funds have been sanctioned for appointment of these teachers. While the department plans to make do with guest lectures for the time being, it will soon go for recruitment.

While many welcome this decision, some feel that the move has come a little too late. “Had this initiative come earlier, many would have benefited from the additional courses,” said a head of department in the University of Madras on condition of anonymity.

Number of seats up by 20 pc

With growing demand for arts and science courses, the Tamil Nadu government, for the second consecutive year, has increased the total number of seats in all government colleges offering these courses by 20 per cent.

A GO was passed on Wednesday instructing colleges to approach universities, to which they are affiliated to, in order to obtain permission before commencing students’ admissions to fill these additional seats.
There has been a significant drop in campus placements in recent years, contributing to decreased patronage for engineering courses, while controversy plagues medical admissions as well, shifting focus towards arts and science colleges this year.

The number of seats in the government colleges has been increased to ensure that students hailing from the economically poor background can easily access the higher education system. “Many rural students can’t afford to pay the fees demanded by private colleges. This move will help such students pursue higher education after school,” said an official from the Directorate of Collegiate Education.

Constituent colleges

The source in the Higher Education Department also said that there are hectic discussions in the government on controlling constituent colleges. “Either the constituent colleges will be converted into government colleges or we will ask them to bring down their fees to be equivalent to government colleges,” he said.