KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Asking University of Kashmir (UoK) to adopt student friendly educational policy, Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday presented memorandums to Principals of various Degree Colleges across Kashmir demanding revocation of latest decision by UoK regarding hike in undergraduate fee structure and clubbing of payment of admission fee and examination fee together in advance for two semesters.
IJT also demanded extension in last date of submission of admission fee for students aspiring to seek admission in BG Part 1 which ends on March 22 (Today), a statement issued by IJT president, Umar Sultan said Tuesday evening.
Pertinently, the latest decision of the University of Kashmir to bundle the admission and examination fee of its undergraduate students, presently seeking admission for session 2016-17 in various affiliated government colleges of the valley has sent shockwaves among students and parents alike.
“The affiliated colleges which would demand an yearly admission fee ranging between Rs 2500 to Rs 3000 for non-professional Arts and Science subjects are now demanding between Rs 5800 and Rs 6300, which includes examination fee of first two semesters collected in advance before the actual teaching-learning session begins. The university in last one month issued no less than three admission notices, one overriding the other,” the IJT president said. “The increase in fee (by clubbing admission and examination fee) was announced late on 11th March 2016 and 22nd March 2016 was put the deadline for the candidates to submit the fee. A time gap of only 9 days was given to students as the stipulated time period include two Sundays and one state holiday.”
Umar said, “the order was devoid of any humanistic consideration for the hardships endured by students in the face of rough terrain in the far flung areas of the state and the inclemency of weather. The sudden decision reflects disconnect of the university authorities with the ground realities in the valley. The decision, if not arbitrary, hostile and exorbitant, still qualifies to be called elitist and insensitive.”
He said that the parents of economically disadvantaged and socially underprivileged students who cannot arrange the required fee will have to see their wards denied the chances of higher education. “This will most likely adversely affect the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of higher education for the state of J&K, which is already recorded low at 18.2% in 2011-12, far less in comparison to developed nations. The education of girls in backward and rural areas will be particularly affected. The higher educational institutions in the state are mostly concentrated in urban centers and students from peripheral rural areas had to travel long distances for receiving education. The decision of hike in fee only adds to their educational costs and makes it unaffordable for them. Therefore, the decision leaves a considerable segment of population, specifically marginalized and vulnerable, deprived of higher education benefits. The decision has made fun of the notion that education was free in J&K.”
To seek the attention of UoK higher ups towards this grave issue, representatives of IJT on Tuesday submitted memorandums to Principals of various Degree colleges across the valley.
The Memorandum by the IJT demanded that the decision to collect admission fee and examination fee of first two semesters in advance (under CBCS) for the session 2016-17 may be cancelled and that the prospective students may be given a chance to deposit the stipulated fee in two or three instalments.
“It also demanded extension in the last date of submission of fee without stopping the class work from taking off. This may be done by extending provisional admission as prescribed under rules to such students of BG 1st semester who cannot afford to submit fee before the expiry of last date,” he added.
The memorandum also demand that the students who seek admission in one affiliated government college and later decide to seek admission in other college or cancel admission may be refunded their entire fees immediately after applying for the same. “This would enable them to seek admission at their choicest places with the same fee made available to them and without wasting opportunities.”
IJT also demanded concessions in admission/examination fee may be provided for weaker sections of society.
Umar said that IJT has sought appointment with Vice –Chancellor UoK, Prof Khurshid Andrabi to present a copy of memorandum to him as well.
Kashmir University is having most rigid administration regarding fee structures and Last dates they don’t even think about common masses of Kashmir as the common masses continue to suffer..Its matter of Great concern..VC sir should make some flexibility in admission processes for the interest of all students.Kashmir University has Become the Business Hub.