THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Ranchi, June 5: Following instructions from the Raj Bhavan, the process of enrolling students in intermediate courses at 62 degree colleges across Jharkhand has been halted, putting the future of nearly 62,000 students in limbo.
Taking note of the seriousness of the issue, Chief Minister Hemant Soren has intervened and formed a three-member ministerial committee comprising School Education Minister Ramdas Soren, Higher Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu, and Panchayati Raj Minister Deepika Pandey Singh.
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The committee, constituted by the Chief Minister, is expected to hold a meeting today to review the entire situation. It will then formally meet the Governor to present the government’s stance on continuing intermediate education in these colleges. It is believed that the committee may recommend allowing intermediate courses to continue in degree colleges for one more year.
The government clarified that, under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, intermediate education was to be phased out from colleges by 2026. However, the Raj Bhavan’s directive has enforced this transition a year early, causing considerable inconvenience to students. Many students had already applied for admission to intermediate courses in these colleges but are now being denied enrollment.
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Additionally, due to a lack of available seats, infrastructure, and qualified teachers in schools, students are left with limited options. The government has also assured that the future of teachers and staff currently employed in degree colleges will be safeguarded, ensuring that neither livelihoods are threatened nor the education system is disrupted.
