SNDT’s de-affiliation move irks schools

Following the Maharashtra University Act, SNDT University has withdrawn its affiliation to diploma courses offered by institutes that are not attached to degree colleges from next year. City schools are upset as the courses were popular with women who could not afford to attend a full-time programme.

In a letter issued by the university to the schools offering such courses, it informed of its move. But the schools can continue conducting the courses.

Professor Madhura Kesarkar, director, Board of College and University Development (BCUD), said, “We understand that this move will affect many schools across the nation. But we have started following the definition of ‘college’ stated in the Maharashtra University Act — institutes that have a degree college attached to them. Hence, we are cancelling our affiliation with those schools who do not have an attached degree college.”

Heads of schools are upset that the university did not seek a dialogue with them before taking this decision. “We are shocked. Why did the university affiliate with us in the first place if it didn’t consider us fit? We were not given an audience with the authorities,” said Seema Buch, principal, Gundecha Academy, Kandivli, which offers early childhood care course.

However, Kesarkar said that they just started following this definition. “Former university officials might have had some arrangement with such institutes. But our management is following rules,” she said.