Prof K G Gupta
In India polytechnic institutions have played an important role in the field of technical education. Polytechnics have produced great engineers who rose to eminence due to their diligence and deep commitment to the profession. Polytechnics in India have been conducting 3-years Diploma courses in various engineering and non-engineering branches since pre-independence period. Before partition of the sub-continent there was only one Polytechnic in this region which was located at Rasool near Lahore in west Punjab and was shifted to Nilokheri, presently in Haryana. In the post independence period a few polytechnics were opened in the early fifties. In Punjab there were only 4-5 polytechnics where admissions were granted on merit and very brilliant students got admissions. It was not easy to get admissions.
Students passing out of these institutions were appointed Overseers and their job was to get the allocated work executed in various engineering fields. The engineering graduates qualifying from engineering colleges were appointed as Assistant Engineers & Foreman and their job was to design, plan and provide guidance to junior staff at various stages of construction, fabrication, erection and manufacture. But the execution of work was mainly the responsibility of Diploma engineers.
In Jammu and Kashmir state there was no polytechnic or engineering college before independence and even during early years after independence. First polytechnic ‘K.G. Polytechnic’ was started in Srinagar in the year 1958. A second polytechnic ‘Govt polytechnic, Vikram Chowk, Jammu’ came into existence in 1960 at Jammu. Both these institutions came to be recognized as prestigious institutions. The diploma engineers from both the institutions were considered highly trained and well versed in their practical & theoretical capabilities. Even the students who were trained in the 2 year Draftsman course in the polytechnics were highly respected in engineering departments for their knowledge in engineering drawings and preparing estimates.
The two polytechnics in the state had well qualified, dedicated, committed, experienced and regular staff. During the earlier years, these institutions were headed by Chief Engineers from field who were deputed as principals for a specific period but later on principals were appointed out of the institution faculty.
These two polytechnics located in Srinagar & Jammu saw many up and downs. Intake capacity was reduced & enhanced periodically depending upon the need of diploma holders in various engineering fields. At one stage K.G .Polytechnic Srinagar was completely closed down in the year 1968 and was restarted in 1972 but the reputation of these two institutions was par excellence.
There were only two polytechnics for about twenty five years and two more polytechnics were setup in the summer and winter capitals in the year 1985 & 1986 to conduct diploma course for women only. These institutions also maintained a high level of educational excellence. In the year 2004 two more polytechnics came into existence at Leh and Kargil.
Side by side some polytechnics were established in private sector which included National Polytechnic, Nits polytechnic , IECS, Regional polytechnic in Jammu while Mater Pro, Kite polytechnic, SSM and Royal polytechnic came into being in Kashmir region. Kalamkari institute was was another polytechnic catering to women oriented courses like fashion designing, textile designing and other similar non-engineering branches. All these institutions functioned in a normal manner except Regional polytechnic which did not have a smooth sailing and was closed down in late nineties. These polytechnics continued to cater to the needs of two regions up to 2012-13.
In the year 2011, the Central government launched a scheme to establish atleast one polytechnic in each and every district and this scheme was also adopted in Jammu and Kashmir state. Consequently eighteen new polytechnics were established, one in every district. It was definitely a progressive step because technical education was taken to the door steps of people living in the far flung areas. But the decision was implemented in undue haste, without proper planning and without any vision. It reflects a complete lack of far sightedness on the part of the government of the day. No steps were taken towards the recruitment of staff and creation of the requisite infrastructure. Even today, these newly established polytechnics are without faculty and bereft of proper buildings, laboratories, workshops and necessary equipments. It may take another 4-5 years to bring these institutions to the required standards.
Presently there are twenty four polytechnics in Government sector in this State and nine polytechnics in private sector. These institutions taken together have an intake capacity of approximately ten thousand but numbers of candidates seeking admissions to 3 year diploma courses is far less. Even the candidates securing zero score in the entrance test do get admissions. A large number of seats in Government and private institution remain unfilled. Private institutions are perhaps, the worst sufferers. Admissions in some institutions are as low as 5-10% of the intake capacity. Survival of these institutions is endangered and some of these private polytechnics may be compelled to opt for closure. Even in government polytechnics some branches like instrumentation & control, information technology, electronics & communication, garment technology, textile designing, travel & tourism have no takers.
Who is responsible for such a critical situation? Perhaps opening of eighteen polytechnics in government sector in one go, was a step taken without any need base survey. Nobody cared about the long term impact of this decision. Secondly a large number of engineering colleges have come up in this state as well as in the neighboring Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The admissions in these colleges are easily available. It is easier to get admission in engineering degree courses than a diploma course.
Admissions to all degree & diploma courses in engineering discipline is being made through the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) but a large number of seats in various polytechnics could not be filled as sufficient number of candidates did not appear in the entrance exam conducted by the BOPEE. Admission process is too cumbersome and prolonged that students belonging to backward areas of the state are unable to even apply for admissions properly. There is a large number of students who wish to join polytechnics but fail to do so due to lack of information regarding the admission process.
The parents also want their children to join B.Tech courses instead of joining diploma courses in engineering because the diploma courses are losing their importance. After the introduction of entrance test for the post of Junior engineers, diploma holders find it difficult to compete with engineering graduates. A very small number of diploma engineers were declare selected in the recently issued selection list for the post of junior engineers. This has caused a sense of frustration among the diploma engineers.
Then, what is the solution? Some steps have to be taken to save the existing polytechnics from a virtual collapse and closure. The students studying for various diploma courses have to discard their ambition and aim of joining Government job only as Junior engineer. There are ample opportunities in the private sector for diploma holders. People living in Jammu & Kashmir must encourage their children to move out of the state in search of better job avenues.
They should also take advantage of the project Udaan launched by the Central Government for skill development and employment of the youth belonging to this state. Already thousands of youth have got honourable employment in various fields through Udaan.
Diploma holders must try to improve their qualification by joining some engineering degree courses or adopt AMIE route because it is essential to upgrade ones knowledge and qualifications to compete with higher qualified persons in present times of competition in every field.
The admission process by BOPEE also needs to be simplified. Seats remaining vacant after completion of counseling by BOPEE must be filled by other modes. Some methodology has to be devised for this purpose. In neighboring Punjab, the institutions are allowed to fill up the vacant seats by themselves. This method could also be adopted in J&K state. Counseling by BOPEE must be completed before 30th of July, as laid down by AICTE, so that atleast fifteen days time is available to fill up the vacant seats in various institutions through some other modes. Some subordinate posts need to be created in various engineering departments, where diploma holders could be engaged before getting promotion as Junior engineers.
There is no provision in Jammu region for the admission of diploma holders to engineering courses under lateral entry scheme. This should be permitted in all the engineering colleges in the region. This will pave a way for qualification improvement of diploma holders. At present thousands of diploma holders from Jammu province go to neighboring states for completion of the degree courses under lateral entry schemes. It is very strange that University of Jammu has not been able to start the Lateral entry scheme which could have benefitted thousands of engineering Diploma holders.
However, the whole spectrum pertaining to admissions to various diploma courses, proper training in well equipped institutions and suitable guidance & counseling for securing suitable job opportunities needs to be reviewed so that the polytechnics in the state do not loose their significance. The system of polytechnics has to be protected from decline and total collapse so that these institutions continue to play pivotal role in development of this state.
(The author is Retired Principal, Govt. Polytechnic, Jammu)
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