T.N. govt. and aided polytechnic colleges see modest rise in admissions, but problems remain

Government polytechnic colleges see a rise in admissions due to state financial assistance, impacting student quality and industry placement

While more students have opted for government polytechnic colleges in Tamil Nadu when compared to the previous year, data show that the overall percentage of students entering polytechnic education — whether it is government, aided, or self-financing institutes — has stagnated at 41% for two years in the State.

There has been a significant drop in admissions to self-financing institutes this year, but the drop is only marginal in aided institutions.

Teachers attribute the marginal increase in admissions to government colleges to the State’s Tamil Pudhalvan scheme, which offers a monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 to boys from government and aided schools so they pursue higher education.

But as far as the colleges are concerned, problems remain. The eligibility criteria for admission to a polytechnic college is completing Class 10. With the School Education Department having set targets to ensure that students complete Class 12 and upgrading more high schools to the higher secondary level, polytechnic colleges are facing issues, say teachers.

Usually, students unable to pursue higher secondary education are the ones who seek admission to polytechnic colleges. But for several years now, polytechnic colleges have been admitting dropouts from higher secondary schools and those who have worked and wish to gain a diploma, they say.

Polytechnic college teachers say that now, candidates who have just managed to pass board exams (35 being the pass mark) in Class 12 are being admitted. “The admission rate is low. Mostly, these students would have taken a break. They may have studied Classes 11 and 12. Some students may have failed or dropped out of school,” said a government polytechnic teacher.

Moreover, institutions with an intake of 90 students admitted less than a third of the number, he said. “We are unable to follow up with the candidates who apply as their listed mobile phone is either out of reach or there is no response. Sometimes, the call is answered by a family member who says the student has taken up a job. If it is a girl student, the parent says she is sick and will join later,” the teacher said.