Kochi: Govt colleges in Ernakulam are struggling to attract students to foundational core science subjects and Sanskrit in language programmes. Enrolment this year has sharply dropped for mathematics and physics, with some colleges, especially in rural Ernakulam, failing to get even a single student for these courses this academic year, raising concerns about the long-term viability of these core courses.
The main reason for this is lack of interest in learning traditional subjects and the desire to go to private colleges that offer new-age, job-oriented courses. Another key reason is poor infrastructure in govt colleges and failure to update the syllabus with changing times.
There are seven govt arts and science colleges in the district, of which one — Maharaja’s College — is autonomous.
At Govt Arts & Science College, Elamkunnappuzha, not a single student has taken admission in the mathematics department this academic year. Other departments too have vacant seats, according to the college authorities. The lack of hostel facilities and the college’s proximity to institutions in Kochi have made it harder to attract students.
“Seats are vacant in all subjects and the intake is currently low. The better-performing students tend to opt for other courses, while students who are weak in the subject may find it challenging to pursue mathematics,” said principal Bloomy Joseph.
Joseph said the first-year admissions are unlikely to immediately affect teaching posts as the department continues to have students in the second and third years. The college is also exploring a shift from conventional programmes to job-oriented courses.
At TM Jacob Memorial Govt College, Manimalakunnu, near Piravom, physics has emerged as the major concern. Of the 20 seats, only three students have enrolled this year. The college has filled only around half of its total sanctioned seats, with commerce being an exception.
“We have proposed to the university that the physics course be upgraded into a joint BSc-BEd programme,” said principal Joy Scaria.
Govt Sanskrit College, Tripunithura, too, has witnessed a steady decline in admissions over the years since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The college has courses in the Sanskrit language such as BA and MA programmes in sahithyam, vyakaranam (grammar), nyayam (logic), jyothisham (astrology) and vedantham (philosophy).
As there is no age bar since the FYUGP courses began, college officials say more learners beyond the age of 30 are joining the astrology course at the college. However, the enrolments at the college continue to remain below 70%, according to college officials.
Teachers’ organisations said the problem is not confined to a few institutions, with Maharaja’s College being among the exceptions. Govt College Teachers Organisation (GCTO) secretary Alson Mart said applications to govt colleges in the district too have declined considerably and enrolment has fallen by at least 30% in the past two years.
He attributed the trend partly to the proliferation of govt colleges following the Oommen Chandy govt’s 2014 decision to establish a college in every assembly constituency. “While there was sufficient demand for higher education at the time, the expansion has resulted in institutions competing for a shrinking pool of students,” he said.
TOI’s repeated calls to Mahatma Gandhi University vice-chancellor D Mavoothu for a comment did not receive a response.
