Shimla: After merging schools with low student strength, the Himachal Pradesh government is now set to shut down colleges in a similar manner.
The government has fixed 100 as the minimum count and colleges where student enrollment is less than 100 will be closed down.
Directorate of Higher Education told to compile data
The Directorate of Higher Education has been directed to compile a list of such institutions, following which a final decision will be taken in a Cabinet meeting.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur stated that many colleges had seen a steady decline in student numbers over the years, with students migrating to other institutions.
The government aims to ensure quality education by closing down colleges with consistently low enrollment.
Students from these colleges will be shifted to nearby institutions, while faculty and non-teaching staff will be transferred to colleges where they are needed.
19 colleges were closed in March 2023, some had zero enrolment
In March 2023, the government had de-notified 19 out of 24 degree colleges opened during the previous BJP regime as most had student strength ranging between zero and 61.
However, five colleges —Banikhet (188 students), Chhatri (60), Kupvi (86), Nauradhar (77) and Subathu (118) — were allowed to function due to comparatively higher enrollment.
According to official records, several colleges opened between April and October 2022 had dismal student strength. Baruna had only 35 students, Mashroond 28, Swarghat and Balhsina 20 each, Galore 10, Pandoh 21, Chadiar 12, Sataun 11, Baranda had six, Mamlig five, Chanogi three, Kotla one and Lambloo, Jalog, Pangna, Baga and Chandi had none. Sanskrit colleges at Singla and Jagatsukh had zero and four students, respectively.
With the government now prioritising quality over quantity in higher education, colleges with inadequate student strength were likely to face closure in the coming months, said an official.
