Students say they will be forced to join costly colleges.
By Shrabona Ghosh
Bengaluru, 10 April, 2019.
The decision of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to cut intake in government engineering colleges has left students puzzled. Many students seeking admission for the academic year 2019-20 say they plan to change their stream as they see little opportunity in engineering.
Niranjan M, a class 12 passout, said: “I was planning to take up an engineering course. But now I have to rethink my decision. Changing my stream at this point will be an obstacle to my career, but I will do so because of heavy competition and little chances.”
Shamita Shetty, an IT professional, said: “My sister is an engineering aspirant who is depressed about the situation. She has decided to change her decision to seek admission to an engineering college.. At this time it is challenging to cope with the situation.”
Soumya Banerjee, an engineering aspirant, said: “It is a setback for meritorious students. The decision should be revoked.”
The AICTE has decided to reduce 40,000 seats across India in all government colleges.
AICTE chairman Anil Sahasrabuddhe informed The Times of India: “The decision to reduce seats has been taken after seeing the negligence of state governments in changing the condition of state-run engineering colleges. They have failed to recruit faculty and provide proper infrastructure. This is a hint for governments to take action; otherwise the reduction in seats will continue till they wake up and give infrastructure and faculty on priority. Eight states have already taken some action; we’re waiting for the others.”
The TOI report further added, AICTE has decided not to give permission to any new engineering colleges for the next two years. The decision was taken following a report submitted by a committee headed by IIT Hyderabad chairman BVR Mohan Reddy.
Approval for additional seats and new programmes in existing institutions will be granted based on capacity utilization.
Praveen B, a recent 12th passout, said: “It was because of my parents’ wish that I got into a good government engineering college. However, the curtailment of seats will act as a big impediment to my enrollment. To study in a private engineering college, I need to spend a considerable amount. I belong to a middle-class family, and I can’t afford it.”
Bhaskar Jha, an engineering aspirant, said: “I am disappointed with the curtailment of seats. I wanted to get into a government college, but because of this step I may have to go to a private college where fees would be exorbitant. Sometimes the quality of education in private colleges is also not good.”
Nayantara Narayanan, a second-year engineering student, said: “This is an unwelcome decision. The committee should have thought about aspiring students. Students’ future is at stake.”
According to TOI, the seat cut is not just because of inadequate action by colleges. The demand for engineering courses has also been sliding. Across India, 50% of engineering seats were vacant in 2018.
