Soon,MSBTE to start grading polytechnics

Polytechnic institutes across the state will now have to put their act together or even face deaffiliation for poor academic quality. The Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) has decided to grade polytechnics (which offer programmes in engineering/technology) and pharmacy institutes through academic monitoring each year and those who perform badly will be issued a showcause notice.

“We have been discussing this idea for some years now. We have decided to implement it from the 2012-13 academic year. Key performance indicators will be used to assess the institutes,” MSBTE director P M Khodke said.

The evaluation will be based on several parameters,including how the curriculum is taught,weightage given to practical training,the number of students who pass out and what percentage go for further education and placements.

Quality of faculty,number of publications and so on will also be assessed.

“The exercise will be compulsory for every institute: 440 polytechnics and 170 pharmacy institutes. About 70 per cent weightage will be given to academics and remaining to alumni relations and industry associations,” Khodke said.