Prof. K G Gupta
In India, presently there are more than 10,300 engineering institutions in which more than 20 lakh students are undergoing training for various levels and courses. Most of these institutions are carrying on their professional responsibilities with total commitment. Some of these institutions are definitely the centers of excellence imparting world class professional training. Engineers passing out of these institutions are getting top positions in India & abroad.
When India became independent there were very limited engineering colleges. The number gradually grew at a slow pace but these institutions maintained a very high standard. The people and trusts, which established these institutions never thought of earning huge profits from these centres of learning. Only purpose was to set up institutions which could produce best possible engineers.
But things have greatly changed. There has been a mushroom growth of engineering institutions. Most of these money minting business shops are bereft of requisite infrastructure and dedicated faculty. Attending and non-attending engineering ad-missions are being carried. Just pay a few lakhs more and you do not need to attend any theory or practical classes. The number of engineering colleges and polytechnics has increased many folds but number of admission seekers is far less than the total intake capacity of these institutions. This has resulted in an unhealthy competition among the institutions. Admission to engineering colleges has become so easy, that if a candidate just expresses a desire to opt for an engineering degree course, there may be a long queue of representatives from various institutions outside his house. Intelligence and marks secured are no criteria. One should just possess the minimum eligibility criterion. This is most unfortunate situation.
In early fifties and sixties, there were only three engineering colleges in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pardesh and Jammu & Kashmir state combined together. Now the number may be more than six hundred or even more. There is no harm in having so many institutions but gradual decline in the teaching standards and inadequate infra structure makes these courses worthless. But change is the law of the nature. The institutions which are unable to maintain high standards shall be compelled to close down their shops. Existence of the fittest will ultimately prevail.
As per the statement given by Minister of State for Human Resources Development in Indian Parliament, about 200 engineering colleges have been allowed to close down during the last two years. Many more shall be forced to further down their shutters, if the policy of looting and fleecing the student is not given up and standard of training is not raised to an optimum level.
Condition of J&K State:
In our state of Jammu and Kashmir, there are ten engineering colleges and more than thirty polytechnics. One NIT is functioning at Srinagar and one IIT has recently been established in Jammu. Admission scenario in engineering colleges is not so bleak, although a large number of brilliant students opt for institutions of excellence outside the state. Only solution for these local institutions to exsist is development of infra-structure and engaging best possible faculty. Any institution which does not improve shall automatically go out of reckoning and may have to opt for a closure.
Polytechnics in J&K state:
There are more than 30 polytechnics in Jammu and Kashmir mostly in government sector and about 7-8 in private sector. Most of these polytechnics are facing problems of existence. I have been connected with polytechnic education for the last more than fifty three years but have never witnessed such a worsening situation as prevails today. The standards of teaching and training are at lowest level. Most of the Government polytechnics, with exceptions of a few, lack proper faculty and infra-structure. Teachers engaged on contractual basis are paid meager emoluments and no quality education can be expected. The number of admission aspirants in polytechnics has considerably decreased due to the fact that admissions to the engineering colleges in the state or neighboring state are easily available. Moreover the state Government has failed to create jobs in many streams of engineering. This has resulted in unemployment in a number of branches like Computer engineering, Electronics & communication, Instrumentation & control, Office Management, Architecture, Wood technology, Leather technology, Garment technology, Textile designing, etc. The Diploma courses in these branches are at the verge of closing. There are no takers for these branches in government as well as private polytechnics. Some of the private institutions have already been compelled to lower down their activities and may soon vanish from the scene.
Number of admission seekers in various polytechnics is far less than the total intake capacity. Even then the admission process is cumbersome and too prolonged. BOPEE which is responsible for admission is unable to fill up even 50% of the seats. Candidate securing even zero score in entrance examination are allowed admission. Government has failed to devise other alternative modes for improving the admissions. It is high time that the Technical Education Department steps in to rejuvenate the failing polytechnic system.
State Board of Technical Education also needs to improve its working. When results in central and state school education boards as well as in universities are improving, there is a sharp decline in the results of various polytechnic courses. Examinations as well as the results of these exams are being delayed unprecedently, adversely effecting the system. SBOTE must improve its functioning to save the system from total collapse.
Let us once again, rededicate ourselves to our profession so that we can contribute towards a strong nation which surges ahead with confidence and our engineering institutions become centers of excellence at par with any other world class institution. It shall be best tribute and homage to Dr.Saravepalli Radhakrishnan the teacher par excellence and Sir Dr. Visvesvarya, the engineering wizard.
(The author is presently Principal IECS, Purkhoo Camp Jammu)
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