Women’s College at Balmatta freed from ’shift ’ scourge

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Aug 31,2014:  Students of Government Women’s First Grade College at Balmatta in Mangalore have got relief from the ‘shift’ system for classes  followed for years because of shortage of classrooms in the college.

 

The system has been dropped after a suggestion by MLA J R Lobo during his recent visit. During the shift system, classes were conducted from 8.30 am to 5.45 pm and many girls used to reach home by 7.30 pm.

Considering the protection of girls, the MLA suggested discontinuing with the system. Now, classes are being conducted from 9 am to 4.30 pm. More breaks are being given in between, instead of continues classes. Few staff rooms and B.Ed classrooms are being used as additional classrooms, said Principal Ramanath B.

Land scarcity  : The college which started in 2007 offers BA, BBM, B.Com, B.Sc and BCA courses and around 1,000 girls are studying in the college. However, the college is facing acute shortage of land to have enough number of classrooms. The proposals of shifting the college to Vamanjoor or Shaktinagar have been cancelled as the shifting would affect the rural students, most them belong to middle class. The plan of shifting of BEO office has also been dropped.

Transfer of land plot:  Commerce Department Professor said that there is a dream of converting Balmatta education centre as a PG centre, which would provide education from anganvadi to post graduation. There is no scarcity of students. In fact, the college is not being able to give admission to all because of limited space. “The college has just 55 cents of land and the RTC is in the name of PU College, BEO office and B.Ed College, which has become a hurdle in the development of the college. If the Revenue department transfers the land plotting to College education department commissioner’s name, problem may be solved, he said.

“We need at least 50 cents of land for the college. MLA J RLobo had convened three to four meetings of heads of all education institutions of the campus and promised of solving the land problem at the earliest. Though we have to depend on St Agnes College ground to organise sports events, we organise enough activities for students in the college. MRPL has provided desks and benches to the college. Dearth of space is the main problem,” he said.

Principal Ramanath expressed concern about the pollution problem, a headache to the college. He requested the RTO and police to act against ear-splitting horn blowers. On asked about the staff number, he said that there are 14 regular staff, three are working on deputation (including himself) and 44 guest lecturers. “Though there is shortage of staff, we can manage with it,” he said.