Complete autonomy for self-financing institutions! Permission no longer required for new courses; govt circular sparks controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision to allow autonomous self-financing and autonomous aided colleges in the state to independently launch unaided/self-financing courses landed in controversy. The Higher Education Department in a circular stated that government permission—in the form of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) was not anymore required for starting independent courses.

The requirement for prior approval to introduce new self-financing courses or to increase the number of seats in autonomous colleges has been abolished. Institutions are now only required to provide advance notification regarding the commencement of such courses. Furthermore, permission is no longer needed for the permanent increase of seats in existing self-financing courses.

This circular was issued following a meeting between representatives of autonomous self-financing colleges and the Minister for Higher Education, Roji M John. There are currently 23 autonomous self-financing colleges in the state, including institutions such as Mar Baselios Engineering College in Thiruvananthapuram and Amal Jyothi Engineering College in Kanjirappally.

In the category of autonomous aided colleges, the following institutions—among a total of 37—will benefit from this: Mar Ivanios College (Thiruvananthapuram), CMS College (Kottayam), Assumption College (Changanassery), and Mar Athanasius College (Kothamangalam).

For unaided (self-financing) colleges that do not possess autonomous status, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required to commence new courses.

Regardless of the specific category, an NOC is mandatory for starting new courses or permanently increasing the number of existing seats within the aided sector. Such an NOC does not require frequent renewal.

The requirement for self-financing colleges to renew their No Objection Certificate (NOC) every year has been removed; renewal is now only necessary once every three years. The university is empowered to decide on increasing the number of seats for courses offered in unaided and self-financing colleges. Once the admission process is concluded, the university must submit a report to the government detailing any newly introduced courses and increases in seat capacity.

Total of 61 Autonomous Colleges

Aided Autonomous ........................ 37

Government Autonomous .......................... 1 (Maharaja’s)

Self-financing Autonomous ............................. 23

Institutions eligible to start Self-financing courses ............................. 60

In aided colleges, the government pays the salaries of both teaching and non-teaching staff. However, the government bears no such responsibility for self-financing colleges that are run by the management alongside these aided colleges.

"This is part of an initiative to promote academic autonomy. It does not apply to government colleges. The opposition's allegation of corruption is made without an understanding of the facts," Roji M. John, Minister for Higher Education.

“The circular that seeks to hand over the higher education sector to corporate private management for the sake of their exorbitant profits must be withdrawn immediately.” - Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition.