Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Mar 9: Extremely concerned over the non-serious attitude of some private B Ed colleges, which are bringing bad name to reputation of the premier institution and its degrees, the Jammu University is mulling to drastically cut down number of seats of the colleges having inadequate infrastructure and not adhering to the UGC norms.
Vice-Chancellor Prof M P S Ishar is learnt to have taken up the matter with the Minister for Higher Education and action in this regard is being taken in a phased manner, official sources informed the Excelsior.
For the purpose, sources added, a list of erring colleges is being made very soon on the recommendation of a committee, which inspected the B Ed College for ascertaining the infrastructure and faculty status of these private institutions, affiliated to Jammu University.
During the inspection, a number of B Ed College were found lacking required infrastructure and faculty besides non presence of the students registered for regular B Ed course, sources informed adding that the Inspection Committee has submitted its report to the Vice-Chancellor for further action.
The Minister is also believed to have given his consent for a strict action and a formal decision for trimming down the number of seats is likely to be taken before commencement of B Ed admissions for the next academic session, sources said.
Pertinent to mention here that in the JU affiliated private B Ed Colleges, whose number is 74, there are around 20,000 seats for local and non-local candidates. The admission for these seats is made every year through Jammu University.
Even as the JU had been receiving complains of inadequate infrastructure and faculty position in these B Ed Colleges, no stringent action could be taken against them so far. Whenever penalty proceedings were initiated by the University, the affected colleges challenged the same in court of law.
However, action this time is being taken with comprehensive measures by the University so that the erring colleges may not escape the penalty, sources informed and gave a hint that prior approval of JU Council- the apex decision taking body, may be obtained in this regard.
When contacted, JU Vice Chancellor, Prof M P S Ishar maintained that there would be no leniency towards the colleges, which do not adhere to the UGC norms in respect of infrastructure and faculty position. “I am not going to tolerate anyone who brings bad name to the reputation of Jammu University and its degrees,” he said.