320 applicants seek permission to start pre-univ colleges

At least 300 pre-university colleges are likely to be set up in the state this year. The state department of pre-university education (PUE) has received about 320 applications seeking permission to start pre-university colleges. Department officials say they receive about 300 such applications every year. "There is no restriction for those who wish to open new colleges if they fulfil the criterion," said Narasimha Nayak, joint director, PUE department (affiliations). "This year we received 320 applications and if all of them fulfil the norms, we will permit them." Forty applications were received from Bangalore North district, 37 from Bangalore South and 34 from Belgaum. Only one application came from Coorg/Madikeri district, two from Chikmagalur and three each from Chamrajnagar and Shimoga. The applicants must pay a non-refundable fee of `30,000. They must possess 25,000 sq ft land with six rooms measuring 22x30, plus separate rooms for the principal and staff, and toilets for men and women. These colleges will have to improve the strength of students in two years. Each class should have a strength of at least 40 students. If an institution fails to manage this number, the department will order the closure of the college. According to officials, many colleges find it difficult to maintain student numbers and are ultimately forced to close down.l Tipu varsity set to become a right-liberal battleground, p3