Reshma Ravishanker 

Just three days after the announcement of class 10 board exams (SSLC) in Karnataka, Pre-university Colleges across Bengaluru have commenced admissions. A handful of colleges have also commenced “bridge course” classes for first PU students starting Monday.

Even as the department of PU Education has drafted a detailed timeline for admission into colleges, according to which the first batch of admissions commence only on May 16, PU colleges have paid no heed to it.

On Monday, parents formed a bee line in front of some PU colleges in Bengaluru. Typically, the line would be of parents seeking application forms and note down cut off marks. This time however, it was parents who were waiting to pay the fee and confirm admissions.

A private PU College in Jaraganahalli has commenced classes for first PU students starting Monday. “Integrated coaching is offered to students studying here. We are focused on competitive exam training. The bridge course commenced on Monday. Admissions were completed mid-April,” said a student on anonymity.

Meanwhile, an all-women’s private PU College in Bengaluru has told parents that May 6 is the last date for submitting applications and that even as the PU board states that May 9 is the last date for submission of applications.

Meanwhile, a co-ed PU College in Bengaluru commenced admissions on Monday. “We went there as the college sent an SMS on Sunday asking the first set of parents to appear for an interview. It was mentioned that the fee is to be paid online. When we reached the college, we were given a three-hour deadline to pay the full fee and retain the seat,” said a mother.

Responding to this, Dr Mohan Alva, president, Karnataka Unaided Pre-university College Management Association (KUPMA) said that the issue was complex. “The government has allowed integrated coaching in PU Colleges to flourish. Coaching centres, who admit students into name-sake colleges start classes and dismiss the calendar. If other private colleges fail to catch up to that pace, they fall behind. It is a menace that the system has failed to curb. Admissions begin even before the students appear for boards. Coaching for NEET, UGC NET, JEE have taken precedence as coaching centres convince parents that PU syllabus holds no value for future. In this backdrop, why are only some PU Colleges obliged to follow the calendar?” he questioned.

Department’s actual timeline:

Last date to distribute applications: May 7

Last date for submission of applications: May 9

First list of selected candidates: May 14

Payment of fee for first list of students: May 17

Second list of selected students: May 17

Fee payment for second list: May 21

Third list of selected students: May 24

Fee payment for third list: May 27

Commencement of College: June 2