Many colleges fail to provide quality computer labs despite students paying a hefty sum for them
While students of non-aided courses willingly open their purses and shell out money for the upkeep of computer laboratories, colleges don’t seem to be using the amount as required, as a result of which most students have to bear the brunt of poor facilities.
It has been almost 10 years since colleges in the city have started non-aided courses, in affiliation with the Mumbai University. While they have been successful in providing in-depth study of the theory aspects, most have failed to provide up-to-the-mark laboratory facilities, thus delaying laboratory lectures and practicals.
As per the syllabus finalized by Mumbai University, non-aided courses, like Bachelor of Mass Media, Bachelor of Management Studies and Bachelor of Computer Sciences, have subjects which carry 60 marks for theory and 40 marks for practical examinations. However, poor facilities in computer laboratories often jeopardize these 40 practical marks for students, despite the fact that, according to the fee structure, an aided college charges around Rs.1,000 extra and an un-aided one charges in excess of Rs.3,000 extra as laboratory fees, which is included in the total course fee.
A student, who did not wish to be named, highlighted the issues and said, “We have been doing just theory for more than 10 lectures, and we have no clue as to how practicals will be taught since the computers in our laboratory lack the software required for our subject. Furthermore, we have our practical exams coming up in the next two months. I’m shocked that this problem has arisen, despite the fact that I paid more than Rs.20,000 as course fee.”
T.Shiware, Head of Principals of non-aided colleges, accepted the possibility of the lapse, and stated, “The Local Investigation Committee (LIC), which visits the colleges and examines the computer labs, goes to institutions so that they can look into their laboratories. All principals try their best to give better quality laboratories, as we know the value of quality education and also the value of the fees parents pay. However, there are colleges which do not keep a check after the LIC has visited and carry on using old softwares and computers. All principals should keep a check and get regular LIC inspections.”
When the ADC contacted Naresh Chandra, the Pro Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University, he said, “All colleges are required to give good quality laboratories. If the students are suffering due to poor labs, the institution should soon improve their quality. Students on the other hand should inform the principal of their institutions about the same and ask him to take remedial measures.”