Varying degree names mar fine arts students' job chances

The differing nomenclatures adopted by universities for degrees in visual/fine arts has put jobseekers in a fix.

Some universities in the State award the degree as Bachelor of Visual Arts, while others term it Bachelor of Fine Arts, and both are considered equivalent.

However, there is a huge difference in the total marks stipulated for the degree course. They vary from 1,600 to 3,200 depending on the universities.

The anomaly has made it difficult for BFA/BVA degree holders to get jobs.

For instance, the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) had invited applications for recruiting drawing teachers to Morarji Desai and Kittur Rani Chennamma residential schools across the State.

The educational qualification stipulated for the posts, according to the employment notification, was a Bachelor or Master’s in Fine Arts or equivalent and a diploma in drawing and painting.

Candidates who have studied Kannada as a compulsory subject along with an equivalent degree were also eligible to apply.

The Society published an ad hoc list of selected candidates and even verified their testimonials.

However, the recruitment process was stalled on the ground that there were some confusions over considering BVA candidates for the posts.

“The Society has been convinced that the BVA is awarded by recognised universities and the degree holders be considered for recruitment,” said S C Patil, a faculty at Visual Arts Department of Hampi Kannada University.

Patil said though the total marks for the course differ for each varsity, a cut-off percentage could be arrived at to decide merit.

‘We have erred’

N Shanthappa, Executive Director of the Society, admits that they had erred in framing cadre and recruitment rules. He attributed the confusion to lack of clarity in fixing the educational qualification for drawing teachers.

“We have written to the Higher Education Department for clarification. Further course of action will be decided after receiving a reply,” Shanthappa added.