The government has issued a resolution approving the setting up of 24 additional colleges under the jurisdiction of the University of Mumbai.
The government has issued a resolution approving the setting up of 24 additional colleges under the jurisdiction of the University of Mumbai. The university had sent an application of starting 163 colleges. However, academicians and former senators have said that in the absence of manpower and shortage of time, the new colleges would add to the already burdened university system and the government should have addressed that issue too, before giving permission for new colleges.
On Monday, the higher and technical education ministry issued a resolution announcing permissions to start new colleges all over the state. The MU also received permission to start new colleges. The permissions include 10 law colleges and 14 colleges offering arts, science and commerce courses. The overall intake capacity of the colleges is 600 students for the three and five-year courses for law colleges and 2,400 seats for the remaining colleges.
Sanjay Wairal, former senate member, MU, however criticised the government’s decision. “The university has 742 affiliated colleges and now the additional 24 colleges will only add to the burden. The existing infrastructure and workforce is proving to be insufficient for the university to cater to, the additional colleges and will result in a major breakdown,” warned Mr Wairal.
“The academic year 2016-17 started on June 6 for degree colleges. It’s been two months and the new colleges will have to make up for the lost time before the exams start in October. The resolution should have given deferred permissions for the colleges to start from next year so that other issues were sorted out beforehand,” said Mr Wairal.
When asked about the same, Dr M.A. Khan, registrar, MU, said, “There is a shortage of time but the new colleges will have to somehow manage to complete the stipulated academic hours by compromising on the holidays and conducting extra lectures.”
