Hyderabad, February 17: The state education department has given relaxation to degree colleges across the state on pre-condition of owning the college building for starting new undergraduate courses during the academic year 2011-2012.
The decision was taken following representations made by degree colleges and college management associations for relaxation of the norm.
A huge demand for combination courses at the under-graduate level has forced the government to allow the relaxation.
While a large number of colleges across the state do not own their college buildings and are lacking in proper infrastructure, the education department had earlier directed them to fulfill the pre-requisites for launching new courses.
Many colleges had cited non-receipt of fee reimbursement as a reason for the required relaxation.
Following assessment of reasons cited in the representations, the department has now given the go-ahead to colleges for processing applications for starting new course and combinations.
“There have been numerous representations from colleges requesting to relax the condition of having their own building as a pre-requisite to start undergraduate courses. In view of the decrease in admissions, non-receipt of fee reimbursement amounts on time and a surging demand for new combination courses, we have taken this decision,” pointed out MD Christopher, secretary, AP State Council for Higher Education.
Notification for the relaxation would be applicable only to colleges which have completed at least five years.
“After careful examination of representations, it has been decided to relax the norm of having own building for colleges which have completed 5 years, to start new UG courses for 2011-2012 only. However, the condition stipulated for PG courses on having permanent buildings of the college will hold good,” the notification said.
–Agencies