Lakshadweep slashes courses in govt colleges; students worried

Kavaratti: The Lakshadweep administration has ordered the discontinuation of several courses in government colleges across the islands just ahead of the higher education counselling seat allotment scheduled for Thursday.

The Directorate of Education has withdrawn courses from the government colleges at Andrott and Kadmat that had been offered in previous years and were widely relied upon by students. At the Government College of Arts and Science in Andrott, the Political Science course has been discontinued, leaving B.Com as the only programme on offer.

At the Government College of Arts and Science in Kadmat, BA English, B.Voc Software Development, and B.Voc Tourism and Service Industry have been removed. Under the new order issued by Education Director M. Bharani, only BA Economics and D.Voc Catering and Hospitality will continue.

The decision, announced on the eve of seat allotment, has dealt a severe blow to the higher education aspirations of ordinary students in Lakshadweep. The move has drawn criticism, with the administration and the Education Department being accused of showing cruelty and complete neglect towards the islands' higher education sector and student community.

While the order states that seat allotment will be conducted in accordance with Pondicherry University norms, the Education Department has not explained the sudden withdrawal of the courses. Officials have said a separate notification introducing new courses will be issued later.

Government colleges in Lakshadweep are affiliated with Pondicherry University. Higher education facilities on the islands remain limited, forcing most students to pursue studies outside Lakshadweep. Students from the islands are also provided reservations in aided colleges in Kerala. The latest order further reduces the higher education facilities currently available in Lakshadweep.