Mangaluru: Government colleges across Karnataka have witnessed a drop in admissions post-pandemic, prompting the Department of College Education (DCE) to launch a statewide enrollment campaign. This initiative aims to attract II PU students to traditional degree courses offered by 430 government first-grade colleges.
The campaign will focus on urban, rural, and backward areas, with colleges assigned to visit nearby PU institutions to promote their courses and facilities. The objective is to boost enrollment by directly engaging with students and highlighting the advantages of affordable, quality education at state-run colleges.
Admissions have remained low over the past four to five years, with around 100 government degree colleges reporting fewer than 100 enrollments. The Mangaluru division alone comprises 38 government first-grade colleges.
Jayakar Bhandary, Principal of Dr. P Dayananda Pai-P Satisha Pai Government First Grade College, Carstreet, shared that while his institution has the highest admissions in the city, they are tagged with a nearby PU college that has fewer than 100 students. He noted that many students enroll from outside Mangaluru and other taluks.
Other principals emphasized the need for an early campaign start, ideally between December and January. They also pointed out a shift in student preferences toward ITI, paramedical, and allied health sciences, which offer better job prospects. Additionally, they stressed the importance of hiring permanent faculty instead of relying on guest lecturers.
DCE Commissioner Manjushree N. highlighted the significant advancements in infrastructure and academic programs at state-run colleges over the past four years. She stated that the admission drive aims to inform students about these improvements and provide them with affordable and quality higher education options.
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