Hyderabad: The AP government's grading of colleges, based on key performance indicators, has revealed the dismal state of affairs of collegiate education in the state. The data, according to the CM's dashboard, out of 1,209 colleges of all categories in AP, only 63 are A-grade, the rest are B or C . This is pertaining to colleges offering undergraduate and post-graduate courses.
Of a total of 143 government colleges, both co-ed and girls only, only 20 scored above 70 points (A). Around 66 government colleges were put in B category, earning 40 to 70 points, and around 57 government colleges were placed in C, with below 40 points.
The situation is equally bad among government-aided colleges. Out of 117, only 13 are categorised as A grade. Private unaided colleges too fared badly. Out of 949, only 30 made an A.
According to Dr Mari Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute, the states having the most number of colleges in India are, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In combined Andhra there are 48 colleges for every 1 lakh population.
The Jawahar Knowledge Centre is conducting training for students on skill acquisition and holding job drives for placements, but only 24 per cent of trained candidates were placed in 2015-16. Last academic year, around 16,691 degree students were trained; only 3,915 were recruited by companies.
According to experts, students from these college lack related skills, exposure to real-time projects, campus placement opportunities and access to resources. Colleges have also failed to provide placement opportunities and infrastructure. Experts suggested that government degree colleges and aided colleges come out with new courses to fit the job market.
Commissioner of collegiate education Ms B. Udaya Lakshmi recently issued orders, permitting government degree colleges to start conventional courses and restructured courses at the UG and PG level in addition to the existing ones. But the government clarified that it would not provide additional staff, infrastructure nor additional funds for this, and all of them would be self-financed courses by the students.
Banking and financial services, biotechnology and other science-based and social courses are being introduced.
