Disabled candidates write to DU for change of college

Around 40 students in the PH category have submitted applications to the Dean’s office,asking for a change of the designated college to one that is near their area of stay or more suitable to their needs.

Deputy Dean Gurpreet Singh Tuteja said,“There is a shortage of hostels and students are granted colleges solely on the basis of merit — need is secondary. Those who demand colleges near their place of stay will be granted admission if they qualify for the college concerned.”

A few physically challenged students have also expressed concern over the high fees charged by the college designated.

A student said,“I was given admission in Khalsa College,but its fees is too high for me. I have submitted an application for a change of college; to Ramjas College for example,where the fee is lesser.”

Ramjas is among the DU colleges preferred by PH candidates due to better facilities it provides for its physically challenged candidates.

Mahesh Kumar,an official in the Dean Students’ Welfare office dealing with PH admissions,said,“Most students I registered for Humanities courses had listed their first option as Ramjas due to the hostel facilities it provides to for its students.”

Ramjas College principal Rajendra Prasad said “Our college is one of the most sensitive towards the needs and requirements of physically challenged students. The college has special toilets,ramps,an updated braille library and hostel facilities.”

“I have also waived 80 per cent of tuition fees for a few physically challenged students in my college who approached me for financial help.” Ramjas is also the only DU college that has a BA (Honours) course in Music. The course is highly sought after by PH candidates.

Till now,DU has admitted 387 students under the PH category of the 469 registered,and have closed admissions in the PH category in North Campus colleges. Many colleges have filled up the 3 per cent of seats they reserve for physically challenged,especially in popular courses.