Despite government nod, colleges unwilling to allow MCA lateral entry

Say the move will create confusion among students

The Higher Education Department may have permitted lateral entry of students to the second-year Master of Computer Applications (MCA) course even this academic year, but most colleges seem to be in no mood for the same, citing lack of clarity on the entire procedure.

They say they will admit students only to the first year, like in the past. “There is no question of admitting students to the second year through lateral entry in our college. There is far too much confusion and we are waiting for more clarity on the matter. Our college is affiliated to Mangalore University which hasn’t issued any order allowing lateral entry,” the head of MCA department at a college in Mangaluru said on the condition of anonymity.

According to this person, it would be unfair if some students join the second year while others are admitted to the first year. “Given an option, students would obviously choose the second year lateral entry option. The government should make the course three years or two years long instead of giving the option for lateral entry,” he added. Besides, he went on, there are several issues that need to be sorted out with the respective universities as not each of them allows lateral entry.

Deccan Herald has a copy of the government order issued on April 30 which states that 20 per cent of the total number of students admitted to the MCA can be admitted through lateral entry. While the Higher Education Department has allowed lateral entry since 2013, many ambiguities need to be cleared, say college managements. Sumithra Devi, former head of MCA department at RV College of Engineering, maintained that there was no need for the two-year lateral entry option. “It creates unnecessary confusion among students and the management,” she said.

For its part, Bangalore University is still considering introducing the provision this year. Vice-chancellor, B Thimme Gowda, said: “We did not introduce the option of lateral entry last year. But this year, I will consult with other department heads and decide on the matter soon.” The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) had originally introduced the provision in 2013 after which the State government implemented the order.