The University of Delhi has some of the most high-ranking NIRF colleges in the country. However, access to these colleges is restrictive because of the high cut-offs every year. Even the most reputed colleges have small campuses, which allow a limited number of students to get admitted. On top of that, DU is a central university that accepts a diverse range of students from all over the country, which increases the student competition. Over time, the University has failed to become more accessible.
Arvind Kejriwal addressed a letter to the Minister of Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal, in a bid to abolish Section 5(2) Delhi University Act, 1922. According to him, the Act states that no new affiliating university or college can be set up.
He said, “It was amended in 1998 and allowed IP University to do affiliation. IP University was launched to offer professional courses only and not regular courses like BA, BSc. But, now IP also has 127 affiliated colleges, and it too has surpassed its capacity.” TOI reported that the CM, at a later digital press conference, claimed that the Delhi government was ready to invest in opening more colleges.
Kejriwal focused on the difference between students who passed out of school and the students who got admitted to DU. While 2,50,000 students pass out from Delhi, only 1,25,000 out of them manage to get admissions in Delhi-based colleges.
“If we talk numerically, it means 2 students are fighting for 1 seat leading to a cut-throat competition, leaving behind the other 1.25 lakh students without any resources. This means that colleges in Delhi can only accommodate 50% of students. Where will the other 50% go?” he added.
The University of Delhi demanded a 100% cut-off from some of its courses this year. Even amidst the 2020 coronavirus crisis, the students were expected to get an actually ‘perfect’ academic score to get admitted to some courses.
Kejriwal remarked, “Students trying to get admission in colleges are facing trouble, given the 100% cut-offs. Students below that mark, too, have the right to quality higher education. High cut-offs are not the fault of students; it’s our fault.”
Featured Image Source – The Indian Express
