Date:27/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/27/stories/2008092757630500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Dislocated’ Inter students in confusion

No concrete information as to where they will be accommodated

HYDERABAD: The streamlining of unauthorised Intermediate colleges has created a new problem for the affected students.

Where will they be accommodated is a question the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) and the corporate colleges aren’t able to answer.

The BIE has so far issued closure orders to four or five colleges all over the State and some more will be closed during the ongoing inspection launched by the teams constituted by the respective district Collectors.

Going by the mood of the officials, a few thousands of students will have to find new colleges.

BIE Secretary M. Veerabhadraiah said the responsibility was with the respective college managements to accommodate them. If the student wishes not to continue with them, the BIE will admit them in Government or aided colleges functioning under it.

Corporate colleges say they would be accommodated in other colleges run by them within the prescribed limits of the BIE.

As per rules, every college can have seven sections with a maximum intake of 88 students per section.

Interestingly, the emergence of these unauthorised sections was precisely because the colleges did not want to cram such large numbers in one section.

“Students are admitted as per rules but moved to different locations to provide better teaching facilities. We divide 88 students into two sections and shift them to new buildings due to space constraints,” said a corporate college representative.

Cramped classrooms

But with the unauthorised buildings closed, students would have to move into cramped classrooms. Another problem with the dislocated students is that they have to start afresh in a new environment in the midst of the academic year.

The second year students preparing for the final exams and other entrances would be the worst hit.

“Teachers too would find it difficult gauging the students’ intellect and comprehension levels,” says a teacher.

Colleges argue that instead of closing down immediately the BIE can inspect the quality of construction and other facilities and allow these colleges to function at least for this academic year.

“They can take action against us but let not the students suffer.” Meanwhile, with the Dasara vacations round the corner colleges have got some breathing time to settle the issue.