Even though Opposition BJP and Congress members alleged in the State Assembly on Tuesday that low-quality teaching and lack of infrastructure in Government colleges have distracted students, Higher Education Minister Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo refuted the charges, saying that students’ enrolment is on the rise in Government colleges.

Initiating discussion on an Adjournment Motion, BJP member Bishnu Charan Sethi said students now prefer to get admissions in private colleges as quality education is not being imparted in Government colleges. Lack of Lecturers and infrastructure in Government colleges has distracted students. He said as many as 526 Professor posts out of total 952 sanctoned posts in different universities are now lying vacant.

Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra slammed the Government for lack of lecturers in colleges, especially women colleges, and non-provision of funds for Law Colleges. He demanded that the Government announce a time frame to convert Rajendra College to a university soon.

BJP’s Sanatan Bijuli and Mukesh Mahaling and Congress’s Suresh Routray too pointed out various lacunas in the Government colleges.

However, BJD members Ashwini Kumar Patra, Dhruba Charan Sahoo, Souvic Biswal and Subash Chandra Behera refuted the charges.

In his reply, the Minister informed that enrolment of students in 52 Government colleges is on the rise. While 21,565 students were admitted in 2016-17, the number rose to 23,002 and 23,946 in 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Stating that the students and teacher ratio in the State (26:1) is above many other States, the Minister said efforts have already made for appointment of 626 Professor posts. He announced that ‘Mo College’ programme would be launched soon for participation of old students in development in Government colleges.