The state department of collegiate education has announced plans to introduce a Centralised Admission Process (CAP) on a pilot basis in two districts of the state, Bangalore and Shimoga, from the next academic year. State higher education minister, Aravind Limbavali, even held a meeting recently with representatives of private colleges. Although the announcement was initially welcomed, there is growing apprehension on account of differences in the fee structures and curricula. M Prakash, principal, Sheshadripuram First Grade College, Yelahanka, expressed his apprehension to Rashmi Belur.
What is your opinion of the new plan?
I'm skeptical. I don't think this idea will work out for admissions to undergraduate courses, given that there are disparities in the practices followed by the different universities in the state. The Centralised Admission Process is just not practical. We have many traditional universities, and colleges affiliated to these work in a manner that is highly centralised. The different colleges follow a curriculum set by the university, and their access to infrastructure too is largely determined by the university.
What would you say to those who argue that the process will enable students to go through one application procedure to access admission to several colleges?
What are the things students seek? Most students look for a college that is near their home. Few opt to get out of the home at this age as students in the West do. What is more, students and parents also seek a personal touch to the admission process. As things are, students are free to visit the colleges that they seek to gain admission into and interact with students and teachers there, to get a sense of the experience of college. Colleges conduct counselling sessions for students seeking admission. If the new system is implemented, these things will change.
Do you think this might be a move by the state to gain greater control over private colleges?
I would not be able to comment on that. The system is likely to thrust some colleges into the limelight, and relegate others to oblivion. Students and parents seek out what they think might be the best, and this choice is sometimes made on the basis of the fees colleges charge and the hi-tech facilities that some of them advertise. If all students make a beeline for the same college, this system is likely to cause greater impoverishment of those colleges that are already poor.
Don't you think the system will direct students to different colleges on the basis of merit?
What that might also mean is that some colleges will become known for attracting weaker students. Ultimately, some colleges might face trouble.
Do you think the government should rethink this idea?
I would urge the government to think twice before implementing this plan. The decision on admission should be left to colleges. The government’s interference in the matter should be minimal. I don’t know why the government even attempts to regulate private colleges. If there is need for reservation for any particular group that is considered weak educationally, that is something that we could be directed to do. We follow such directives. I don’t understand why the government must seek to intervene in such a manner.
Comments