Educationists criticise PU’s fee hike move

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 27

The decision of fee hike by Panjab University (PU) has not gone down well with educationist as a majority of them have opposed the move.

Yesterday, during the Senate meeting, it was decided that from the next academic session (2017-18), freshers would have to shell out 12.5 per cent more as tuition fee at Panjab University (PU). The meeting was chaired by PU Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover.

Tersem Bahia, former unionist and Chairman of the Punjab Educationist Form, said “Instead of putting the burden on students, the university should cut wasteful expenditure. They should look for new avenues.” “Earn more from consultancy, publications and industrial tie ups. The government should also meet its commitments immediately and bail out the university from financial crises. Fee hike, if inevitable, should not hit the poor,” said Bahia.

Senior educationist PS Bhogal of Arya College also condemned the move, “The decision of Punjab University regarding a substantial increase in the fee structure of various courses from next session onwards is worrisome. Needless to say, costlier education means tougher times for students. Our successive governments have really played havoc with the higher education by substantially reducing grants to the institutions of higher education. The wise old policy of “social investment” has been given a go by. Good social development cannot be possible without good quality of affordable education. With governments abdicating their social responsibility, the universities are forced to hike fees. Ultimately, the nation (the people) pays the price for such apathetic attitudes of the governments towards higher education.”

Senior Prof Ashwani Bhalla of SCD Government College also echoed similar sentiments. While criticising the move, Bhalla said “The move will have adverse implications and it will crash the dream of poor students aspiring for higher education. If the university has hiked the fee, it should also offer scholarships to students.”

“The university must find ways and means to raise funds. The senators should also set an example and take austerity measures. The government offers fee exemption to students of SC and BC categories. There should also be fee waiver for students of economically weaker section of society,” said Bhalla.

Prof Tarun Ghai said “In order to bail out PU from the financial burden, the Centre and state government should immediately extend financial aid. Fee hike will tax the meager resources of students and add more burden on parents. Senators and syndics should come forward for a willing cut to their fat allowances at least for two years.”