The state government is all set to close 462 sections in 820 government junior colleges across the state due to ‘poor enrolment’. These colleges offer Intermediate courses in MPC, BiPC, CEC and HEC streams. The Junior Lecturers Association has been strongly opposing the closure saying that students from weaker sections will be hit and will lead to dropouts.

The Commissionerate of Intermediate Education, which reviewed the functioning of these colleges, had asked the government to close 462 sections in 820 colleges citing poor enrolment. These colleges have enrolment of less than 15 in several sections and single digit enrolment in some sections. It recommended rationalisation of junior lecturers working in these colleges and transfer to those colleges which have enrolment but face shortage of lecturers.

However, the AP Government Junior Lecturers Association has been arguing that students from weaker sections who rely on government junior colleges to pursue Intermediate courses will be forced to stop their studies if they are closed.

“Poor parents cannot afford to send their children to government colleges located in other towns. It will lead to dropouts. The enrolment is poor because the government has failed to provide minimum facilities and lecturers. Instead of closing colleges, the government should strengthen them by releasing funds. If that is done, the enrolment will improve,“ Dr Madhusudhan Reddy, general secretary, APGJLA.