Andhra Pradesh   

Price tag of engineering to get heavier

R. Ravikanth Reddy

EducationPlus Colleges are citing the Supreme Court judgment on autonomy in fee structure to justify the hike

DISTANT DREAM: Getting into an engineering college might become `Mission Impossible' for many if colleges decide to hike the fees. — Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Engineering education is certainly going to be costly from the next academic year going by the collective mood of the college managements and a section of the Government supporting their moves. A serious effort is being made by the college managements towards enhancing the fee considerably citing sustainability, extension of quality education and inability to meet the present norms with the existing fee structure. Though some reasons look valid, the volumes of increase proposed will surely raise the hackles of students and parents. The proposed hikes range from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. One lakh.

Though there is an agreement on enhancement between several associations, there are differences over the quantity of increase as well as the seat-sharing matrix. While the rural colleges prefer a common a hike for all convenor quota seats, colleges in urban areas want considerable hike from the present Rs. 22,000 apart from hike in management quota seats. "Unless the fee is increased the colleges cannot function with escalating costs," argues T. Rammohan Reddy, Chairman of TRR Group of Institutions.

Lowest in country

The Andhra Pradesh Private Engineering Colleges Managements' Association says the average fee in the State is lowest in the country. In Karnataka, the average fee is Rs. 57,000 while it is Rs. 40,000 in Tamil Nadu for accredited colleges and Rs. 32,500 for other colleges. However, it is just Rs. 29,500 in the State (Rs. 22,000 for convenor quota and Rs. 75,000 management quota).

In the process, a new proposal of creating a three-tier fee structure in engineering colleges is mooted on the lines of the medical colleges' fee structure. The proposal suggests "A" category of 50 per cent seats for the Convenor quota with Rs. 30,000 fee, "B" category of 25 per cent with Rs. 50,000 fee and "C" category of 25 per cent with Rs. 90,000 fee with the last two categories without any reservations for any classes.

The colleges are citing the Supreme Court judgment on autonomy in fee structure. However, the rural colleges have a different opinion. They are willing to forego the management seats if the fee is hiked considerably. However, they suggest Rs. 35,000 for the Convenor quota and Rs. 50,000 for the management quota, which also should be increased to 25 per cent. "We want a reasonable hike without burdening the students," says Panduranga Reddy, a college correspondent.

The third major group consisting of minority colleges want total freedom from the Government. The A.P. State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) Chairman, K.C. Reddy and the Principal Secretary, Higher Education Asutosh Mishra, who heard the arguments of the managements feel they were asking for too much though some points look valid.

"We have to discuss thoroughly taking into consideration social and economical aspects of students before taking a decision apart from honouring the Supreme Court judgment," says Prof. K.C. Reddy. Officials are apprehensive about the reaction from student organisations, who have already expressed their resentment.

"We will oppose the three-tier structure at any cost," says K. Srujan Kumar, State president of AISF.

It will drive away poor and middle class students from engineering education. "All the colleges got concessions worth crores from the Government during establishment and they now want to fleece the students," he says.

Control called for

SFI State president Hari Kishore feels that the Government should bring in legislation with control on fee structure. "The convenor quota should be offered at the fee charged by university colleges and leaving 25 per cent for managements at a fee suggested by the Government it self," he says.

The SFI plans to meet the Chief Minister soon to present its case.

Any hike would obviously anger the parents and students and so has this proposal.

"Government should not buckle the under the pressure of colleges. Dealing of minority college affairs has already sent wrong signals to the people and it is time Government set right its administration of professional colleges," says Prabhakar, a parent.

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