4 major issues drowned Education sector of Punjab

Ludhiana, November 10, 2019: "The education sector of Punjab is passing through its toughest phase because of four major developments in the country." This was said by President, PUCA & Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges, Dr.Anshu Kataria. While stating the four developments he said that on one hand because of curfew in JK thousands of students are not coming from the Valley for the admissions where as thousands of Bihar students have gone back because of withdrawal of Bihar Student credit card scheme benefit for Non NAAC colleges. Punjabi students are flying to Canada, UK etc for their education and last Ray of hope was Punjab SC students which consist of 35% population of Punjab. Because of nonpayment of Post Matric Scholarship for 3 years the number of Punjab SC students in Punjab unaided colleges is going down. Lastly, because of most of the Punjabi students planning to study in Canada, Australia etc the colleges of Punjab wore a deserted look. Revoke of Article 370 in JK: Kataria added that on an average around 10,000 students from Jammu Kashmir take admission in various colleges of Punjab especially in tricity, Amritsar belt and Jalandhar which is approachable and accessible for JK students. But due to the ban on internet/mobile connection and curfew in Jammu & Kashmir after the revoke of Article 370, thousands of students of the Valley couldn’t approach to the colleges for the admissions in 2019-20 session. Modifications in Bihar Credit Card Scheme: Bihar government suddenly discontinued the Bihar credit card scheme for non NAAC colleges. Under this scheme Bihar students used to get 4 lakh in 4 years for their higher education which was paid directly to the concerned colleges. Around 5,000 students were studying under this scheme and around 10,000 students were expected to take admission in Punjab but sudden discontinuation of the scheme on 5th July, 2019 has created trouble not only for the unaided colleges but also for the Bihar students. Number of NAAC grade A colleges in Punjab is not even 1% of total colleges. Delay in PMS Funds: Sh. Amit Sharma, Senior Vice President, PUCA said that Post Matric Scholarship funds for almost over 3 years amounting to Rs 1400 Crore is due towards the Govt out of which Rs 415.60 crore is of 2016-17, Rs 538 cr for the year 2017-18, Rs 437.19cr for the Year 2018-19. This total of 1400 Crore has created financial crunch in colleges of Punjab. Amit Sharma further added that the Unaided Colleges are running pillar to post to save their colleges as the Unaided Colleges when doesn't pay their bank loan Dues for 3 months, they are declared as NPA's and Banks start taking legal action against the Colleges/Trusts. Heavy Immigration to the Foreign Countries: Kataria further added that every year over 1.50 Lakh student of Punjab is migrating to Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc for their higher studies after 12th. This has resulted into the closure of many old engineering colleges of Punjab.