'Quality of education in VTU, affliated colleges poor'

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report has observed that the quality of education imparted by Visv­esvaraya Technological University and affiliated colleges is not of requisite standards.

The CAG, in its audit report for 2010-15 submitted to the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, has said the quality of education was not up to the mark because the colleges had not secured accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and the National Board of Accreditation. The audit analysed data of two government colleges, two aided colleges and 29 unaided colleges on the basis of random sampling in Bengaluru and Kalaburagi revenue divisions. As many as 216 engineering colleges are affiliated to VTU.

Poor quality of evaluation was also noted as marks were changed in over 90 % of the answer papers. VTU has not ensured continuous support to e-Vidya, Edusat, rendering the projects unproductive.

While only 48 of the 162 colleges have permanent affiliation for their courses, recommendations of VTU with regard to the intake capacity was overruled by the government, resulting in large-scale vacant seats. The report also states that there is regional disparity, as a majority of engineering colleges are concentrated in Bengaluru – there is no engineering college in Koppal, though approved by government in 2011.

Health
Many “inadequacies” were noted in the creation of infrastructure, providing healthcare and quality services in the State hospitals. Over 75% of the hospitals have less than the sanctioned strength; over 50% of the district hospitals lack services of general medicine; 35% - general surgery; 21% - gynaecology; 41% - paediatrics.

Insufficient equipment in ICUs and operation theatres and inadequate release of funds to burns wards and trauma care centres were also observed.