Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (RD/VA)
 
Bantwal, Jun 10: The state education department is introducing new programmes every year to alleviate the inferior notion of government education institutions among the students and to prove that government-run education institutions can compete with private-run education institutions in providing standard education and achieve better results. 

But here is a clear case that highlights the state’s apathy through inappropriate planning and inadequate infrastructure due to which the government failed to achieve significant progress in its mission. The state has approved highest number of degree and pre-university colleges in 2009.  It has issued a circular to begin science department in 25 colleges and commerce departments in nine colleges in the Dakshina Kannada (DK) district, with effect from academic year 2010 - 11. 

But sadly, the state has not taken any measures over the most essential infrastructure, despite sanctioning lecturers posts and starting of science and commerce departments in the respective colleges in DK. Owing to this, the students lack interest in joining government colleges that would have been more beneficial to the students, had the state planned to make government colleges more efficient than private colleges.
 
As per the information provided by Ramesh, acting deputy director of pre-university education, the state has sanctioned science departments in pre-university colleges of Mulky, Kumbra, Kadaba, Sajipamooda, Beliyoor, Katte, Aladangady, Savanoor, Bettampady, Keyyoor, Madavu, Tenka Mijar, Benjanapadav, Katipalla, Gurpur, Venoor, Kaniyoor, Kavoor, Siddakatte, Kabaka, Gerukatte, Puttur Girl’s Pre-University College, Sullia, Montepadav, Narsha and Kokkada in the DK.  Besides, it has issued circulars to establish commerce departments in colleges at Beltangady, Maninalkoor, Kadaba, Aladangady, Bettampady and Puttur Pre-University College.
 
The state has indeed taken most appropriate measure in establishing science and commerce departments in various government-run colleges in DK, at the backdrop of studies in private colleges are becoming expensive for the general masses.  However, how can the students trust on government-run colleges, if the adequate infrastructure is not put in place? 

The principals of these government-run colleges are in dilemma over conducting classes of science department, while they can somehow manage commerce department, as it does not need laboratory etc and thus manage with existing facilities.
 
The state has sanctioned science departments in five colleges in Bantwal taluk. Despite these college authorities embarked upon wide publicity in this regard, the response of students is negligible.  The education department issued sanctions to Sajipamooda, Benjanapadavu, Siddakatte, Montepadav and Narsha pre-university colleges in the taluk during the academic year 2010 – 11.

Although the state has intimated the sanctions three months ago, the student’s response was nil, except for seven students who enrolled in Siddakatte.

The state has envisioned the rural students to opt for science in newly-established department of many colleges in the taluk.  But, the apathy of state over the inadequate infrastructure puts the future of these colleges in quandary. Science department began functioning in Sajipamooda College in the taluk two years ago without any infrastructure. It managed the department with a few guest lecturers and availed laboratory facilities of a college in the neighbourhood.  However, the college authority abandoned the science department a year ago, when it became very difficult to accommodate students in the laboratory at the neighbouring college. 

Meanwhile, the state education department has again sanctioned science department for the same college that lacked most essential laboratory facility in the premises.  None of the students approached the college authority seeking admission for science in this college so far. The colleges at Benjanapadav, Montepadav, Narsha pre-university colleges also face the same situation. 
6 Students seek to join science at Siddakatte Pre-University College:
 
Only six students enrolled for science at Siddakatte Pre-University College, so far.  The college principal when contacted over the phone said, “The students have voluntarily enrolled for science and many more are expected to join.  The guest lecturers will conduct the classes as per the directive of state education department,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, if the state puts in place all the most essential facilities in newly-set up science colleges in the talulk, the government colleges would compete with private colleges in securing better results at final examinations. A government-run college - Mudipu Pre-University College in the taluk has proved that its science students are better than any other college by securing cent percent result in the recently held examinations.