DU Admission Stampede: Courtesy, Dearth of Quality Colleges
As the day two of DU Admissions on 17th June, a majority of Delhi University colleges admitted students beyond its seats availability. The second-day witnessed rush in colleges like Hindu, Miranda and Sri Venkateswara and admitted more students than 16th June. The campus was buzzing with students interested in off-campus colleges and secure seats instead of banking later-cutoff lists.
The trend of over-admitting was notable in popular courses 
such as BCom (H), Econonics (H) and the sciences. Shri Ram College of Commerce has admitted 37 candidates for BCom (H) in the general category, well exceeding its 252 seat capcity. According to House principal Pratibha Jolly, Miranda House, too over admitted in its honours courses, such as economics, maths, political science, geography and physics.
According to Principal Bhim Sen Singh of Kirorimal College it was early to speculate on the second list, but various popular courses might close with the first list itself. He also said that even after withdrawals, chances are less that there will be any seat vacancy in courses like Physics, Chemistry or mathematics. In the general category, Kirori Mal admitted 77 students in BA programme against 44 seats, 73 in physics (H) against 58 seats and 89 in mathematics (H) against 40 seats.
Amidst all these developments, former Union Minister and BJP leader Vikay Goel demanded reservation for all Delhi students in government colleges under Delhi University. Last month, Goel had met the DU vice chancellor to pursue for reservations.
This prevailing scenario in DU admissions, signal a serious crisis in the field of higher education in India. The trends reflect a discrepancy in demand and supply in top-notch institutions. According to government-appointed committees, India has about 500 universities (roughly 300 government-run, 70 private and 130 deemed varsities) but still needs four times the number. However, the sad picture is that even the newly set up universities might take time, as the existing ones are not meeting the quality norms.
Every year number of students appearing for their class XII examinations is rising. This in turn is resulting for demand of more colleges that can accommodate these candidates. This cut throat competition both in terms of cut-off marks and quality colleges is getting tougher with each passing day. Moreover, students want admission in their favorite courses and a college that can assure them a good job. In this stampede of colleges, high cut-offs are bound to come, giving jitters to not only students but also to the parents.
Long back, National Knowledge Commission had said that India need nearly 1500 more quality universities. The setting up of these new institutions will have no meaning until these have good research facilities and qualified faculty. Lately this month, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had suggested that autonomous colleges identified as colleges with potential for excellence, must be transformed into universities. This dearth of colleges is also an indication that India has a poor GRE or Gross Enrolment Ratio (indicating percentage of the population in the 18-23 age group enrolled in higher-education courses.)
For any economy to grow, the education sector cannot be ignored. With Indian economy growing at eight to nine per cent, it is high time that the prime focus must be on quality of education and the institutes offering it.
There might be celebrations for 90 plus scorers, but India having the biggest young population cannot gain new grounds just with them. It needs the entire talented brigade for its development and that will only be possible when more quality educational institutions are set up to accommodate various unsung average scorers.
Source: Prachi Srivastava (Shiksha Team)
Date: 18th June, 2011
