Drop in enrolment for degrees at govt colleges

The number of students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in government first-grade colleges is declining, according to a report on Academics and Building Infrastructure by the Department of Collegiate Education.

In the 2015-16 academic year, there were 3.07 lakh students pursuing higher education in the state in degree colleges but in 2016-17, the number dipped to 2.92 lakh.

According to principals of several degree colleges, admissions to the 2017-18 academic year are even lower. Compared to Arts and Science, Commerce courses have more demand.

However, department officials said that since the results of the II PU supplementary exams were announced only recently, it was too early to comment on this year’s enrolment.

According to the report, in 2016-17, for every 100 students, only 29 were pursuing higher education in degree colleges. Officials said that this is higher than the national average of 27.

“Students are more attracted to medical and engineering courses. Because of this, the number of students enrolling in degree courses is less,” said a member of the committee which conducted the study. Since the establishment of the department in 1960, 412 government first grade colleges have been established. From 2013 to 2016, a total of 50 new colleges were opened. In all, 107 colleges have postgraduate departments in addition to undergraduate courses.

Besides declining enrolment, the dipping pass percentage is also a cause for concern. From 80.3 in 2014-15, the pass percentage dropped to 76.4 in 2015-16. “Students come to government degree colleges when they are not able to get admission to other professional courses or private colleges. Before they even complete the course, many of them go in search of jobs and do not focus on academics by the final semester,” the committee member said.