Jammu, Feb 13 : The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that there is “no immediate or compelling requirement” to set up new government degree colleges in the Union Territory, citing under-utilisation of existing seats and low enrolment.
Replying to a question by MLA Mir Saifullah, the minister in charge of the Higher Education Department said the sanctioned intake capacity of government degree colleges in J&K stands at 1,16,767 seats — significantly higher than the total admissions of 45,438 recorded during the previous academic session.
While enrolment has shown an upward trend, the government maintained that the current numbers do not warrant fresh infrastructure. “The focus remains on optimal utilisation of existing infrastructure, enhancement of academic facilities and improving enrolment levels to provide quality, globally competitive education,” the minister said.
On specific demands for degree colleges in Trehgam and Keran tehsils, the government said both areas are within accessible distance of existing colleges and have limited feeder bases.
Trehgam, located around six kilometres from Government Degree College Kralpora and two colleges in Kupwara, has only one higher secondary school, indicating inadequate student strength to justify a separate college, the government said.
In Keran, a report submitted by the principal of GDC Kupwara on January 19 noted that the tehsil has just one higher secondary school with around 151 students. “The catchment area is comparatively small,” the government said, adding that opening new colleges in such locations is not feasible “from the perspective of enrolment viability and optimal utilisation of resources.” (KNS)
