more-in The Self-financing College Teachers’ and Staff Association has sought enactment of a law to regulate the functioning of self-financing institutions in the State and implementation of the recommendations of the K.K. Dinesan Commission that studied various issues they face. K.P. Abdul Azeez, Kozhikode district secretary of the association, told the media on Thursday that there were 989 self-financing institutions in the State, including arts and science colleges and those offering courses in engineering, medicine, nursing, teachers’ education, and pharmacy, among others. Around 7 lakh students are studying and over 50,000 staff are working in these institutions. However, though self-financing institutions started functioning in Kerala 20 years ago, there has been no law to regulate them. “Most teachers and staff get poor salaries. They are denied benefits such as PF and ESI. Though teachers from these colleges are deputed for evaluation of answer scripts, they are not paid for it,” Mr. Azeez said. Of late, there have been reports of dismissal of teachers and staff from many colleges that are not able to attract students. “There are 175 self-financing colleges in the State. We don’t need these many institutions. Rules are often given a go-by while sanctioning them no-objection certificates. However, most of them are not able to attract students as the infrastructure is not up to the mark. Also, with the syllabus of the Kerala Technological University being tough, many students prefer engineering colleges outside the State,” Mr. Azeez said. E.N. Padmanabhan, district president of the association, said the government appointed a three-member commission headed by former High Court judge K.K. Dinesan in 2016 to study issues faced by the self-financing sector. “The panel submitted its report last year. However, it is yet to see the light of day,” he added. The association is organising a seminar in Kozhikode on August 4 to discuss the issue. K.K.N. Kurup, former Vice-Chancellor, Calicut University, who was a member of the commission, will open the event, he added.

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