Students keep off outdated courses

KOCHI: The pre-examination centre in Aluva, which could have been a major platform to bring the students belonging to the Scheduled Caste and other minority communities to the main stream, is in a neglected state. Though the centre was formed to impart training to students, its obsolete courses and lack of an authority at its helm are the major hurdles faced.“This centre does not have proper courses which can be of immense help to the students belonging to the Scheduled Caste and other minority communities. The centre offers courses  in stenography, DTP and data entry etc, which no student is willing to join. Now-a-days, these courses are least sought after,” said a highly placed official with the Scheduled Caste department.“Hardly students come forward to take courses like stenography and DTP. We know that the returns from such jobs are not very high. Hence, even the funds are underutilised,” he said. Though occasionally, training in competitive examinations are also imparted, the number of students who turn up for these courses is less, he said. Another issue related with the centre is the lack of proper lecturers and professors. “The centre does not get teachers on deputation. Though the government had tried to take people on contract basis but did not materialise,” he said and added the only way out is to promote people with professional qualifications to these posts. “But the government has turned a blind eye to this option,” he said. Another issue with the centre is that it does not have a principal. It has been three years since the centre had no principal. In the absence of a principal, the District Development Officer is now burdened with the functioning of the centre.When asked, S Lalithambika, director, Scheduled Caste department, said that measures will be taken to redress this issue. “The outdated courses have come to my notice. Steps will be taken to appoint a principal and also to introduce modern courses,” she said.