Varsity of Blunders

Being shortsighted has become its prerogative but the manner in which the University of Mumbai blundered on the first year admissions this year points to a far more disturbing problem than a simple ophthalmic defect. By implementing a four-year-old Government Resolution curtailing student strength at the undergraduate level 8211; and consequently denying 15,000 students admission 8211; the university would have us believe it bore the students8217; best interests in mind. Fewer students would mean improved assessment and consequently a better education, it had reasoned. But the consequences clearly belied any real concern. Its capitulation is ample indication of that.

Still, it would be unfair to blame the university alone. While there has been a steady increase in the number of seats and colleges at the junior college level, there has been no corresponding increase at the degree colleges. The reason: government grants available to junior colleges to open new divisions are not given to senior colleges. This accounts forthe disproportionate number of applicants at the undergraduate level.

Also, with the university suspending its decision on student intake for the current academic year only, it will take more than band-aid measures to address a problem of this magnitude. If the rule is indeed implemented next year, the projected shortfall in seats will be a stunning 20,000!

The government and university must initiate a dialogue with each other and either amend existing policy or frame new ones that are congruent with the changing times. One alternative would be to allow degree colleges to raise fees to self-finance additional divisions.

In this year of election, government can hardly afford to sit on the fence.