Experts say reducing seat numbers may hit growth

Experts say that the perspective plan of the Telangana State Council of Higher Education lacks vision and based on the growth rate, no concrete steps have been mentioned to increase enrolment.

Dr Srini Bhupalam, vice-president of the All India Federations of Self-Financing Technical Institutions said, “Technical education must see an increase in the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER). However, the statistical information in the report shows that the state has been registering a decline in the last three years, which is troubling and may hinder the state’s growth.”

He said the report incorrectly concluded that Hyderabad, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy had more technical institutions than other districts. “This must be looked at based on the population, and specifically, the student population.”

He said there does not seem to be need for rigid universal norms for professors, associate professors and assistant professors. “The faculty cadre ratios were originally prescribed for maintaining equilibrium between junior and senior teachers. These should have been modified with the enforcement of new faculty norm.”

Prof. G.V.K. Reddy, an educationist wanted a similar plan for secondary school and junior college. “They all could work in tandem to improve the quality of education,” he said.

As the report noted, many students lack communication and soft skills. It is unfair to expect technical institutions to teach language skills and soft skills, he said.