Concerns Raised Over Kotli College
Munish Sood
Mandi
The Himachal Pradesh government’s recent notification to close 10 government colleges across the state has triggered debate in educational and political circles. While the decision is being justified in certain cases due to very low student enrollment, critics argue that several institutions have been included without adequately considering geographical constraints and regional educational needs.
In a statement, Prof. Hemraj Rana, State Co-Convenor of the BJP Teachers’ Cell in Himachal Pradesh, has strongly objected to the closure of Government Degree College Kotli in Mandi district.
Only Higher Education Institution in Tungal Valley
Prof. Rana stated that Government Degree College Kotli is the only higher education institution serving the entire Tungal Valley and should not be shut down under any circumstances.
He pointed out that the nearest alternative institutions are located at considerable distances—Dharampur (about 45 km), Jogindernagar (around 75 km), and Mandi (about 25 km) from Kotli. For students residing in remote villages of the valley, the effective travel distance increases further, making daily commuting difficult and impractical.
He added that closure of the college would disproportionately impact students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, limiting their access to higher education.
Limited Subject Availability Behind Low Enrollment
Addressing the issue of low student strength cited by the government, Prof. Rana said the root cause lies in the limited academic structure of the institution.
He noted that the college currently offers only six subjects under the Arts stream. Since a majority of rural students opt for Arts disciplines, the absence of wider subject choices has directly impacted admissions.
He suggested that all major Arts subjects—such as Geography, Sanskrit, Sociology, Mathematics, Music, and Physical Education—should be introduced in the college. He also recommended a phased introduction of Science streams to strengthen academic offerings and improve enrollment.
Impact on Competitive Exam Preparation
Prof. Rana further stated that the absence of key subjects is affecting students preparing for competitive examinations, as several important disciplines are not available at the college level in the region. This, he said, places rural students at a disadvantage compared to their urban counterparts.
Concerns Over Student Merger with Vallabh College
The government’s proposal to merge students of Kotli College with Government Vallabh College, Mandi, has also drawn criticism.
Prof. Rana highlighted that Vallabh College already accommodates around 7,000 students, with existing constraints in classroom availability and an imbalanced teacher-student ratio. He warned that additional student intake could further strain academic infrastructure and affect quality of education.
Appeal for Policy Reconsideration
Prof. Rana urged the state government to reconsider the decision in light of the “education at the doorstep” principle and the broader goal of ensuring equitable access to higher education in rural and remote regions.
He also appealed to former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and local MLA Anil Sharma to take up the matter with the government and support constructive resolution in public interest.
