Chennai, 17 October (H.S.) : A day after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a bill to amend the Private Universities Act, academicians and educationists across the state have voiced strong criticism. They warn that the legislative change is poised to fuel profiteering within the education sector and significantly increase the fees collected from students. Educationists also expressed deep concern over the detrimental impact the amendment could have on the service conditions and job security of both teaching and non-teaching staff across colleges.

The State Platform for Common School System-Tamil Nadu (SPCSS-TN), through its General Secretary PB Prince Gajendra Babu, claimed the Act would surreptitiously aid the establishment of 'type three' higher education institutes. This, he noted, aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP), a policy which the ruling DMK government has previously professed to oppose. Mr. Babu made a direct appeal to the State government not to rush through any legislation that could pave the way for the conversion of existing private colleges, particularly the aided colleges, into self-financing universities.

Further opposing the legislation, the Association of University Teachers (AUT), Tamil Nadu, argued that the amendment would inevitably transition the university admission process from a strictly merit-based to a potentially money-based system. K Raj, the AUT General Secretary, claimed that thousands of teachers and supporting staff across the State are now facing severe job insecurity as a direct result of this legislative move.

M Nagarajan, secretary of the Joint Action Council of College Teachers (JAC), Tamil Nadu, highlighted a crucial modification, stating that the proposed Act reduces the minimum land requirement for private universities to as little as 25 and 50 acres. This is a significant reduction from the existing norm of 100 acres, a change he believes will accelerate the commercialisation of higher education in the state.

Update: The bill has been successfully passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, marking the official action taken by the legislative authority despite the widespread opposition voiced by various academic bodies and teacher associations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary