No NBA certification, quality of education in diploma institutes under DTE scanner

The DTE, through a notification dated August 10, had asked diploma institutes to initiate the process of NBA certification and convey details of the same to it by August 28, the earlier deadline.

The colleges were warned of withholding formalities at the DTE end as the consequence of not submitting the desired information. It was for the first time that the directorate had prevailed upon the diploma institutes to apply for NBA certification. The engineering and pharmacy institutes among other professional colleges offering degree courses were being consistently asked to go for such certification.

An autonomous body formed with an objective of ensuring quality and relevance of education, especially of the programmes in professional and technical disciplines (engineering and technology, management, architecture, pharmacy and hospitality) through the mechanism of accreditation of programmes offered by technical institutions, NBA stipulates periodic evaluations of technical institutions and programmes basis according to specified norms and standards as recommended by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Speaking with Newsline Thursday, DTE officiating joint director (Pune region) P V Sarode said quality of education was the only concern behind the directorate’s decision to ask diploma institutes to initiate the process for NBA accreditation.

“There exist irregularities in terms of staffing pattern, infrastructure and other educational facilities in several diploma institutes. These drawbacks directly create adverse impact on the quality of education and thereby academic interests of students. We will ensure all diploma institutes comply with latest orders pertaining to NBA certification for courses,” he said.

On possible action against defaulter institutes, he said such colleges could face detention as an extreme step.

Pendency of certification requests with the NBA and ‘hefty’ fee for certification are apparently proving to be obstacles for colleges in getting desired certification for courses. “The colleges had already paid fees for NBA certification for desired courses, which is non-refundable. The response from the NBA is, however, awaited,” said an official.

Education counsellor Vivek Velankar said both DTE and NBA should realise the importance of official certification of courses in the larger interest of students. “The DTE should invoke stringent action against institutes not ready to go for NBA certification. Also, if there is merit in claims made by colleges that applications had been pending for months, it’s another serious issue. Both the Centre and the state government should take up the issue on priority basis,” he said.

An email sent to the NBA asking about the pendency of certification requests from colleges and seeking Maharashtra-related details of accreditation went unanswered.