Amend rule 6 of MEPS Act: Principals

With admission to junior colleges now becoming the prerogative of the government or the college management, principals have demanded that the rule enumerating the obligations of the head of institution mentioned in the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Regulation Act (MEPS) be amended to exclude principals of any responsibility with regards to admissions. The demand has been prompted after the principal of a junior college in Navi Mumbai was put behind bars after a girl who was unable to get admission to the college in the offline process committed suicide.

As per rule 6 (1) of the MEPS Act, disciplinary action can be initiated against the head of an institution if he ‘admits any student without a written order of the deputy director.’ The rule also recommends action against the principal for making changes in birth certificates and detaining or promoting students at the instance of the management. The principal of Sudhagad College was arrested on the grounds that he had assured a seat to through the offline mode to the student, which was not possible as all admissions were to be done through the online mode only.

According to Dr V.N. Magre, principal of Kirti College, with admissions to junior colleges now being the prerogative of the government or the management, the MEPS rule 6 (1) (a) (ii) was no longer valid and hence should be removed. “Previously, conducting admissions was the prerogative of the principal and he could use his discretionary powers to admit students (so) the rule was valid. However, now principals have to only facilitate the admissions hence the rule should be removed,” said Dr Magre. The Association of Non Government College principals also felt that the rule was longer relevant and hence should be removed.

Dr M.Z. Farouqui, principal of Rizvi College, concurred with Dr Magre and said that the rule could be misused and principals could be made scapegoats for problems arising in the admission process. “The online process has left many students disillusioned and disheartened. Students allotted seats openly express their unhappiness with the allotment and approach principals requesting them for help. However, as even management quota seats are allotted by the managements and principals can do nothing. The rule should be amended,” he said.

Deputy director of education B.B. Chavan agreed that the role of the principals in the admission process had been negated. “Amending the rules of the MEPS Act is the prerogative of the government and could be affected after consideration of all stake holders. It could be changed by next year,” said Mr Chavan.