Mangaluru: The govt first grade colleges (GFGCs) in the Mangaluru division have drawn up multiple initiatives to improve student admissions this academic year as well, with more importance being given to colleges with less than 75% of admissions. The govt directed the officials concerned and college principals to conduct activities, and reach out to prospective students, before the start of the academic year, to achieve the goal.The department of collegiate education under the Mangaluru division has a total of 37 govt first grade colleges and one evening college. There are 430 GFGCs across the state.Kavita KR, joint director, DCE, said that this year they are focusing on colleges with poor enrolment. “Some of the measures taken are workshops, career guidance programmes, and outreach activities initiated to attract students. Colleges are reaching out to PU colleges in their vicinity and giving information about various courses they offer. We conducted this last year as well, and saw a positive response. We expect the same this year too,” she said.Sources from the DCE shared that last year the campaign started when PU students were busy preparing for the final examination. This time, it was started well in advance.An official with the DCE suggested that apart from this campaign, the govt needs to make changes to its academic calendar. “The PU exam ends in March, results come out by May, and they (students) wait until Aug or Sept to start the academic year. In this time gap, many take up jobs and plan to continue without going for higher education. There are many who take distance education as an option to complete education while they work. Others opt for ITI, paramedical or allied health science courses, which have job guarantees and easily available employment opportunities. Others join autonomous or deemed university colleges, as they start courses in June or July. This major shift occurred post pandemic,” shared a DCE official, requesting anonymity, adding that small changes such as the academic calendar will have a big positive impact on admissions.
