The declining response to basic science and language courses in arts and science colleges in Tiruchi and neighboring districts has raised concerns among a section of educationists.
Upon the release of Plus Two results by the central and state boards, colleges in Tiruchy have started the process of admitting students to undergraduate courses. Fewer students have been found in many colleges for traditional courses like BSc Physics, BSc Maths, BSc Chemistry, BA Tamil and BA English.
According to sources, except for some premier colleges, applications have come less than the approved seats in other institutions, due to which questions are being raised about filling the seats.
“We have permanent faculty members mainly for traditional courses. But the reaction to them is bad. The reality is that they would be holding classes for a lesser number of students than the sanctioned capacity,” says a principal of a prominent college in Tiruchy.
The principal of another college said that this trend has been going on for the last few years. Colleges were finding it difficult to get applications for courses in Mathematics and Physics. Colleges had to persuade candidates to compromise with any basic science or language course. A campaign to demonstrate the importance of taking basic science courses at the undergraduate level was the need of the hour. Awareness should be created among the students from the very early stage of schooling.