Hyderabad: Kamala Nehru Polytech staring at closure as college applies for upgrade

HYDERABAD: When Kamala Nehru Polytechnic for Women’s (KNPW) name went missing from the list of state’s polytechnic colleges ahead of the Polytechnic Common Entrance Test (Polycet-2021), thousands of hearts sank.

KNPW — the first women’s polytechnic college in the country — has huge financial constraints and students say their worst fears came true when the name was missing from the list of polytechnic colleges for the academic year 2021-22 released by the department of education. While educationist say the move will put the brakes on the aspirations of scores of students, students have vowed to protest any move to shut it down. KNPW, whose foundation stone was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru, was established in 1961 by the Exhibition Society.
While commissioner for technical education Navin Mittal told TOI that no final decision has been taken yet, he did confirm that the college had applied for upgradation to an engineering college. “Yes the college has applied for upgradation to engineering college,” said Mittal. Students and alumni of KNPW alleged that the Exhibition Society, with the state’s help, is trying to shut the college down and start a private engineering college in its place.
“Polytechnic is the only course affordable for students from economically weaker sections. When I enquired about garment technology course in private institutes, they said it would cost around Rs 10 to Rs 15 lakh per annum. Here, I am spending only Rs 10, 000 per year. Closing down the college will deprive students like me of studying a course of their choice,” said Anusha G a second year for garment technology student, adding that a student can easily get a job paying between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 after completing diploma from KNPW.
Revealing the reasons for many preferring this college for polytechnic, students said it has all facilities, quality of education is good, it is safe and has hostel facility as well. “Apart from a rich heritage, the infrastructure of the college is excellent. As it is a women’s college, there is security and parents prefer to send their daughter here,” said Induja S, an architect and alumni.
Induja said that while her sister was married very early, she got an opportunity to continue her education as she secured admission at KNPW in 2009. “The alumni recommends this college as students will get best education and will have an opportunity to secure a job immediately after completing diploma. Many, especially from rural areas come here to do their diploma. Rather than schemes such as Kalyana Lakshmi or Shaadi Mubarak, state should continue to run colleges like KNPW ,” she added.
KNPW chairman D Gangadhar Rao said they have made repeated requests to the board to continue services of 39 lecturers. “Ahead of Polycet, we are going to request again to continue services of contract lecturers and give admissions to students in the college,” he said.