Mangaluru
Minister for Primary Education, Madhu Bangarappa, has directed officials to extend the recognition period for private unaided pre-university (PU) colleges to 10 years, effective from the current academic year. During a meeting with the Karnataka Unaided PU Colleges’ Management Association (KUPMA), also attended by UT Khader, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the minister assured that verification of documents for renewal would be limited to those submitted online. Private college administrations were advised to ensure prompt payment of necessary fees.
The discussion, attended by the Chief Secretary of the education department and the PU board Director, saw KUPMA advocating against compulsory fee refunds for student dropouts, arguing that such policies should not be imposed on private colleges without consultation. They urged education officials to prioritize the suggestions and feedback of private institutions in policy formulation.
Highlighting concerns over examination quality, KUPMA emphasized the need for error-free question papers aligned with the syllabus. They strongly opposed the current three-exam structure for second PU, citing potential compromises in exam quality and logistical challenges in administration and evaluation. Instead, KUPMA proposed conducting one main and one supplementary examination annually, with a clearly defined syllabus published at the start of each academic year.
Further recommendations included granting adequate time for colleges to upload documents on the SATS portal and advocating against the practice of awarding grace marks in final examinations to uphold educational standards. KUPMA also suggested differentiated regulations for old and new college buildings, proposing that established institutions be exempt from stringent conditions while stressing the importance of safety inspections by District Deputy Public Educator (DDPUs).
The government was urged to consider these proposals to streamline educational policies and ensure a conducive environment for private PU colleges in Karnataka.
