Private junior colleges mustnt run in unauthorised buildings

The High Court has directed the secretary of the Board of Intermediate Education and the director and commissioner of Intermediate Education to ensure that no private junior college runs in any accommodation other than the one approved by the competent authority.

The authorities have been directed to place the list of institutions that are found to have resorted to such practices, indicating the nature of violations before this court on October 15.

Justice L Narasimha Reddy, while dealing with a petition filed by Vidyaranya Junior College in Warangal, has observed that the petition presents the sad state of affairs prevailing in the educational institutions, particularly at the stage of SSC and Intermediate. “Instances are not lacking where bright students studying in government and aided institutions are purchased so that they can be presented as examples of merit and tonnes of money is made. The nature of advertisements on the eve of results vouches for this”, the judge remarked.

Expressing anguish at the prevailing situation in educational institutions, the judge has pointed out that some of the corporate agencies have become so strong that even examination centres are fixed at their whims and fancies.

``Unfortunately, the government and the Intermediate Board, which are supposed to regulate such an important sector, have virtually functioned as front offices of some of the powerful groups. On the one hand, government and aided junior colleges are being closed by pointing out various reasons, including the one of lack of playground, and on the other hand, the government authorities are blinking at flagrant violations on the part of private junior colleges. Even when institutions are being run in flats, hardly there is any check.’’    

Referring to the petitioner’s case, the judge has said that the regional inspection officer has submitted a report to the board secretary stating that right in the middle of a residential area a multi-storeyed complex is being unauthorisedly used as a junior college and open-air toilets have been constructed on the top floor. The judge said that the students are virtually being treated as hostages in the college.