Satheesan writes to Kerala CM, seeks solution to crisis in higher education sector

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urging his intervention in resolving the ongoing crisis in the State’s higher education sector.

He pointed out in his letter that the State’s higher education sector has come to a complete standstill. The fact there are no permanent Vice-Chancellors in most of the universities and that there are no Principals in several colleges has seriously affected the higher education sector.

The open conflict within the University of Kerala, with the Governor and the Vice-Chancellor on one side and the Registrar and the Syndicate on the other, has just made matters worse, Mr. Satheesan said.

One varsity, two Registrars

He said that amidst the petty politics and power struggles within the university and the violent protests being carried out by the Students’ Federation of India, the new situation is that there are two Registrars in the University of Kerala.

With the Vice- Chancellor refusing to come to the university and the administrative confusion over which Registrar needs to handle files, thousands of degree certificates are piling up, awaiting final approval. Many crucial processes performed by the university, including the issue of equivalency certificates that are essential for student admissions, have come to a standstill.

‘Many files pending’

There are reports that the mark lists of various examinations and files relating to the recognition or approval of academic courses in affiliated colleges, the career advancement schemes for teachers, and that of additional Plan funds are all held up in various sections, which calls for urgent crisis resolution.

The government should remember that the petty power politics, violent protests and the escalating crisis in Kerala University and the higher education sector is affecting the academic prospects of students, Mr. Satheesan said.

He requested Mr. Vijayan to intervene in the matter urgently.