Expert panel to study proposal to start 1st yr classes on Dec 1

A senior official from the Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE) told DT Next that the matter has been taken up by the expert committee constituted by the government to make up the academic loss due to lockdown.

“It will be discussed after ascertaining the ground reality at all technical college campuses. At present, there is no scope to reopen the institutions, as the pandemic situation has not fully abated,” the official added. All the technical colleges would be asked to send their feedback on the AICTE circular, the official said. Based on the reports from the institutions, the panel would take a decision and submit its recommendation to the government, he added.

“If it is not possible to open the institutions as per AICTE deadline, the government will urge the council to extend the date as per the State’s requirement,” he said. In that case, online classes would be held from December 1 to ensure the safety of the college students. On the ongoing engineering counselling process, the official said four rounds of counselling would be over by October 25, and the final allotment list would be published on October 28. Similarly, admission process to all the polytechnic colleges has reached mid-way and would be completed by the first week of November, he said.