JOIN US'Unpopular' courses on their way out
Courses which are not too popular like Bachelors in Business Management (BBM) and a few in science, are likely to be discontinued in some of the government colleges this year onwards, as the number of students enrolled for them is too less.
A recent notification issued to principals of all government colleges in the State by the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) has asked them not to continue with any course or subject combinations where the number of students enrolled is less than 15. Colleges are, therefore, trying hard to get the required number of enrolments before the last date of admission is over.
“There were five students in science and seven students in BBM last year. This year, we have already enrolled three in science and 10 in BBM. We are hoping that we will be able to get the required number,” said Srikumar, a professor at the government first grade college, Kengeri.
The government first grade colleges in Jayanagar and Malleswaram have enrolled very few students in such courses for this year. In the former, presently five students have been enrolled in BBM like last year and so far as science is concerned, the college is yet to get any students this year. It had enrolled five students last year. In the latter college, there were 10 students in science last year, the same as this year as of now.
Other rules
For subjects like Geology, Journalism, Philosophy, Education, Statistics, which are not very popular, the norms have been slightly relaxed to allow them to make some headway. As a result, the minimum number of students required for such subjects is fixed at 10.
The rule will apply only to first year students. Those already enrolled in the second and third year of such courses will not be affected and will continue studies in the same college.
For second language subjects, teachers will be deputed to colleges only if a minimum number of five students are enrolled. Else, students have to study on their own.
Courses like BCom, however, will not be affected by the notification as it is highly popular among students, according to principal of R C College, Dr Venugopal.
“Even if the number of seats are increased for BCom, the demand will be more than availability, even in rural areas,” he said.
Shifting students
In case, colleges are not able to enrol the required number of students within the stipulated time, they will have to send the students to the nearest government college where the course and the subject combinations are available, according to Director, DCE, Dr B L Bhagyalakshmi. “The government college in Vijayanagar is the closest to our college (government college, Kengeri) and I have already spoken to their principal on the issue of shifting our students. We are, however, hopeful of getting the required number of students,” said Srikumar.
Logic behind the move
The order with regard to stopping courses with low enrolment was originally issued by the government in 2009, according to Bhagyalakshmi. However, some leniency was given all these years. This year onwards, the order will be followed strictly.
“For two to three years, the number of students enrolled in such courses was very less. Besides being a heavy burden on the exchequer, such courses amount to heavy workload and the need to employ more guest lecturers,” said Bhagyalakshmi.