November 29, 2020: West Bengal Education Department has announced that physical classes won’t be resumed at colleges and universities from December 01, 2020. However, UG and PG Admission 2020 across the state will again reopen from December 01 to December 15, 2020.
Additionally, in a meeting between Partha Chatterjee, West Bengal Higher Education Minister, and Vice-Chancellors of universities across the state, the decision was taken to reopen the admission for UG and PG courses at the universities for two weeks.
Keeping in mind the increasing cases of coronavirus in the state, the West Bengal Education Department decided to conduct the first semester classes for newly admitted undergraduate students through online means.
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Partha Chatterjee raised concern that most prominent colleges across the state still have a large number of vacancies. Hence, the UG and PG admission procedure shall be re-conducted.
Earlier, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has permitted the educational institutes across India to begin the new academic session from November 01. Citing the ongoing pandemic situation and festivals, the West Bengal government postponed it to December 01.
West Bengal universities’ Vice-Chancellors have also been asked to begin the new academic session 2020-21 at their own convenience. However, many concerns have been raised about the non-uniformity among universities in the new academic session.
Following this decision, an official at the higher education department stated, “If there is no uniformity, it may lead to problems later in the semester.”
Moreover, the education department has given permission to reduce the syllabus if necessary to finish the semesters on time. Vice-Chancellor stated that semester-end examinations will be conducted online and registrars will co-ordinate the attendance of non-teaching employees.
Read More: West Bengal Schools and all other Educational Institutes to Remain Closed till Nov 30
Earlier, West Bengal colleges had sought a declaration from students assuring the authorities that they were going to take up seats. However, many seats have remained vacant in various undergraduate programs.
When Calcutta University started the registration process for admission 2021, the vacancies increased. Due to which the State government decided to conduct a centralized counselling session in the coming years.
A college principal explained that many candidates may have withdrawn their seats due to the ongoing pandemic situation. He said that students may prefer to study in colleges near their home.
He further added, “We received several candidates from State districts but some of them decided to pull out. They might be unsure of studying in Kolkata now.”
Siuli Sarkar, Principal at Lady Brabourne College (LBC) Kolkata said at present, the college has 150 vacancies. Many students opted to withdraw after the government sought a declaration for them.
About 107 vacancies were reported that have risen up to 150 after the registration process has been closed.
Siuli Sarkar further added that considering the fabulous infrastructure colleges offer to students, withdrawing their seats will be a huge loss for the state.
Sarkar stated, “Students started to express disinterest after the counselling process for admissions to the engineering colleges started in September.” Now, colleges will offer seats to students who are genuinely interested.
Check: List of Top Colleges in Kolkata Based On 2020 Ranking
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