Discussions between the government and the self-financing engineering college managements ran into rough weather even before it started, following the decision of the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) to fix pass percentage as the criteria for extension of affiliation.

The managements will take up the issue with the government during the talks that will be held after the end of the negotiations with self-financing medical colleges.

As per the directorate’s order, an extension will be given only to institutions with a minimum average pass percentage of 25 per cent, 30 per cent, and 35 per cent in the first appearance in all subjects in the fourth, sixth, and eighth semesters respectively in 2013-14.

The pass percentage for 2014-15 is fixed at 30 per cent, 35 per cent, and 40 per cent, respectively.
The directorate issued the order on the basis of the recommendations of an expert committee that was appointed following a division bench order last July.

Self-financing engineering college managements’ association secretary T.A. Vijayan told Deccan Chronicle that the management was planning to approach the high court against the decisions of the directorate, as they have no authority in fixing the bench marks.

It is for the AICTE to fix such standards, he said. The association will also take up the issue with the government during the coming talks on seat-sharing and fee structure for professional courses in the next academic year. However, the date for the talks has not been fixed.

The managements are not averse to the idea of setting academic standards. However, such a decision has to be introduced in a phased manner so that the managements have the time to achieve the objective, he said.