Poor results of engineering colleges: Minister assures course correction

Thiruvananthapuram: State Education Minister Dr. KT Jaleel has assured a course correction in engineering education in the wake of poor results of the first batch of the Technological University.

The minister was responding to a news item on the pathetic standard of engineering institutions in the state carried by Madhyamam on Monday. . The minister said that despite significant progress and standards achieved by the institutions, such a dip in the pass percentage cannot be ignored.

There are two colleges in the state with zero pass percentage.  10 colleges have a pass percentage of less than 10.  Out of 144 engineering colleges, 112 colleges have a pass percentage of less than 40. Of these there are three government colleges and 13 government-controlled colleges. Only seven colleges have their pass percentage above 60.  Five percent students of the first batch of the university dropped out their course.

Support programmes for poorly performing students will  be regularised from this year.

Those students who struggle to pass B-Tech courses will be awarded B.Voc degree if they achieve required credits. Through this, a situation where students go without a graduation after joining B-Tech, can be avoided. Boys outnumber girls in admission to engineering courses. 51.5 percent of girls passed the examination. In contrast, only 25.5 percent boys have passed the course, the minister said.