Great Kerala model of failure

Kochi: The cost of professional education, particularly medicine and engineering, has been a hot topic of discussion in the state ever since A.K. Antony as chief minister opened up the sector for private players in 2001. 

The subject remains as controversial as it was 16 years ago. Perhaps it was a fait accompli as the policy making in the privatisation of professional education sector was flawed from the beginning. Anyone having doubts can verify the subsequent lamentation of Mr Antony that the private managements have betrayed the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the government. 

A seasoned politician like him should have known that the policy on such crucial subjects is not left to ‘gentleman’s agreement’. Even 16 years after the ‘betrayal’, failure to evolve a fair and transparent system in the admission process and fee structure is a shameful commentary on the abysmal record in public policy making in the state.

The functioning of the Admission Supervisory-cum-Fee Regulatory Committee for Professional Colleges, the body entrusted with the responsibility of chaperoning admissions and fixing fee structure in professional courses is a good example of the flaws in the system. 

The website of the committee does not even have a window to the rules or provisions governing its functioning. The matter assumes importance against the background of the incumbent committee headed by Justice (Retd) R. Rajendra Babu fixing the annual tuition fee for MBBS course in private medical colleges at Rs 5.5 lakh per student, a steep increase compared to the previous years. 

The reason trotted out for making medical education nearly inaccessible to financially disadvantaged students, is a paucity of time for a thorough examination of the issue due to the need for completing the admission procedure by the end of September.

Dr B. Ekbal, neurosurgeon and public health activist, said there had been widespread criticism about its recommendations. “I feel the regulator should hold consultation with all the stakeholders and make a draft proposal. The same should also be subjected to public evaluation before taking a final decision,” he told DC.

N.M. Pierson, a commentator, also called for a transparent system of functioning of the committee. “At present, we are not aware of the process by which the panel reached its decision,” he said. 

One of the primary objectives of the committee is to prevent exploitation of the students and profiteering by the management. “But so far no panel has given a hearing to students or their representatives,” he said.

SFI state secretary M. Vijin said the committee should hear the voices of students before fixing the fee. “It should have held discussions with us. Many students of MBSS are part of college unions. At least they should be consulted before fixing the fee,” he said.  

"It did not even have a proper examination of records and went by the figures presented by the management without examining their veracity.”He said they had clarified that they fixed the fee by taking the average of the previous year and it was a clear admission that they had not done their job properly.

•  The current panel has fixed the annual tuition fee for MBBS course in private medical colleges at Rs 5.5 lakh per student.
• The cost of professional education has been a hot topic of discussion ever since then CM A.K. Antony opened up the sector for private players in 2001.
• Mr Antony had subsequently lamented that the private managements have betrayed the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the govt.
• Admission Supervisory-cum-Fee Regulatory Committee for Professional Colleges fixes the fee.
• KSU state president K. M. Abhijith said the government and the committee should have held talks with students’ organisations before finalising the fee. “The LDF Government never hold talks and take decisions arbitrarily,” he said.

Muslim Students Federation general secretary Navas M.P. feels the government has abdicated its responsibility towards the poor people by accepting the recommendations of the committee. 

“In the name of unified fee structure, the government is trying to alienate the poor students aspiring the medical profession. How can the government wash off its hands saying it was the decision of the panel?” he asked. 

Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) state president Suhaib C.T, however, admitted that no student organisation had studied the issue in detail and he was not aware that it was the first fee structure after NEET came into existence.
 (With inputs from Sabloo Thomas, Anupama and Amiya Meethal)