Self-financed technical courses beyond people’s reach

The fee charged by self-financed technical institutes is higher than the total annual earning of an average family in the state. This is the finding of Gujarat Kelvani Parishad (GKP) which recently conducted a study of steadily increasing amounts charged as fees by these institutes. GKP is an organisation that has been working to ensure 'morality-based education' in the state.

The organisation sent a detailed report on its study along with facts and figures to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on July 25, 2011.  The GKP report says that the annual earnings of an average family is Rs54,527 while the fees charged by self-financed institutions (SFI) is around or more than Rs55,000.

"Another startling fact revealed by our research is that the fees charged by SFIs are around 3 to 5 times more than that charged by government colleges or grant-in-aid colleges," said GKP member, Arvind Desai.  "We believe that the government's responsibilities do not end with merely providing school education. Increasing amounts charged as fees are proving a big burden on families who cannot afford to pay them," Desai said. 

Incidentally, the government did reply to the letter that GKP had sent to the chief minister. Joint secretary of the state government, JD Bhad's said in the reply: "Keeping in mind students coming from SC, ST and OBC sections of society, the government has reserved 49% seats for them, ensuring them adequate education opportunities."

As regards the high fees charged by technical institutions (the issue raised by GKP in its letter), Bhad said the issue will be discussed with the fee regulation committee which had decided the fees for technical courses. "The committee has been asked to send its remarks, following which, necessary and required action will be taken," Bhad's letter said. He further said that in order to increase student intake, seats were increased by nearly 3-14 times.