BJP in TN can promise to take over self-financing colleges

A transformative vision for the future of the TN BJP

In a state where quality educational opportunities often remain elusive to many due to the monopolized and profit-driven culture of private self-financing colleges (mostly for professional education like Medical Education), the time is ripe for transformative change.

Many of Tamil Nadu’s self-financing colleges – institutions that are supposed to serve the public interest and create skilled professionals for the country’s future – have long been a source of immense wealth for political leaders of the Dravidian parties.

In fact, it is common knowledge that most of them were created with a significant part of black money earned through ‘scientific corruption’ and are often run through benamis.

In this context, the BJP has a unique opportunity, to promise the people of Tamil Nadu a revolution in higher education by pledging to take over the administration and management of private professional colleges if elected to power, and run them for public good.

The current scenario

Today, good quality private professional colleges across Tamil Nadu (mainly Medical Colleges) are widely perceived as inaccessible to large sections of society. Donations, capitation fees, and skyrocketing tuition make it nearly impossible for talented young men and women from economically weaker sections to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors, and other professionals.

These colleges, legally meant to operate as “not-for-profit” entities, have become profit-generating machines on the sly, enriching a few at the cost of society.

Why government oversight is necessary and justified

If voted to power, the BJP can promise to set a historic precedent by bringing these private self-financing colleges under public administration and management, without changing ownership.

This move would not confiscate private property, but rather ensure that these institutions function according to the laws of the land and for their intended purpose: to educate, to serve, and to uplift society without unjust financial burdens.

If governments can manage Hindu temples, in the pretext of ensuring fulfillment of spiritual and social roles, why not apply the same logic to educational institutions meant to genuinely benefit the society?

Unlike nationalization, which would involve shifting ownership, merely bringing these institutions under government management would allow them to remain privately owned while enforcing a transparent, service-oriented administration.

By removing the ‘profit-first’ approach, this reform would enable fairer, merit-based admissions, a regulated fee structure, and improved transparency, ensuring that the profits generated are reinvested directly into improving the institution’s infrastructure and educational quality.

Steps to protect the reform from legal challenges: The path to such a revolutionary reform requires a clear strategy to withstand legal scrutiny:

1. Amend Education Laws to Mandate Non-Profit Functionality: Strengthening legal provisions at both the state and central levels would emphasize that professional colleges should function as not-for-profit entities. This would provide a strong foundation to resist challenges in court.
2. Introduce Transparent Management Councils: Form management councils composed of government-appointed administrators, education experts, and public representatives to oversee the colleges. These councils could ensure that any revenues are transparently reinvested back into the institution, and not ploughed into politics or private hands, directly or indirectly.
3. Form a Regulatory Authority: A dedicated regulatory authority could monitor admissions, reservations as per the laws, fee structures, and fund usage (like teacher appointments & payment of fair salaries), and fill in any Management quotas only transparently, in these colleges. By creating a publicly accountable body, the government could prevent private college owners from evading these rules and ensuring transparency.
4. Draft Public Accountability Laws: These laws would require college administrations to disclose their financials and justify all expenditures, offering the transparency needed to demonstrate that the institution’s surplus is being appropriately reinvested.
5. Empower the Public to Report Violations: Introduce a public grievance system allowing students and parents to report irregularities or exploitative practices, which would encourage accountability at every level of the system.

Phenomenal benefits for the society, especially the poor

The benefits of this reform would be transformative, particularly for the economically disadvantaged who are often excluded from professional education due to its prohibitive costs.

• Merit-Based Admissions: Families struggling to afford professional education would no longer be priced out of quality institutions. A merit-based system would allow talented students from all backgrounds to pursue their ambitions. No undeserving admissions will be made through recommendations or for money on the side.
• Affordable Education: By regulating fees and capitation costs, the dream of a medical or engineering degree would finally be accessible to those who previously found it unattainable.
• Higher Educational Standards: With funds being reinvested into the colleges, students would experience enhanced infrastructure, well-trained faculty, and updated curricula – features often sacrificed. Students from poor families will have a ‘fire in the belly’ and will study hard and will be willing to work anywhere in India where their services are required most, as said often by Dr Devi Shetty of Narayana (Health) Hrudayalaya, Bangalore.
• Employment and Societal Gains: By broadening access to education, this reform would yield a larger pool of qualified professionals, contributing to a better-skilled workforce for the nation’s development. More accessible education means a brighter, more equitable future for Tamil Nadu and India.

The Dravidian Party nexus: Why they won’t act

Let’s be honest: expecting the Dravidian parties to enact such reform is a non-starter. Leaders of these parties, who are mostly the owners of these private colleges, have nothing to gain and everything to lose by changing the existing system that has made them filthy rich.

A transformative promise to the people of Tamil Nadu

BJP has an unparalleled opportunity to show that it stands for accessible, affordable, and quality education for all in TN. This isn’t just a proposal – it’s a transformative vision for the future.

If BJP promises to take control of the administration and management of private professional colleges, it can begin a new era in Tamil Nadu’s education sector, one that respects deserving students, rewards merit, and serves society. This can be one of the major differentiators in terms of electoral promises.

This promise would be a powerful statement of BJP’s commitment to fairness, progress, and the welfare of the people. At the very least, it will expose the Dravidian parties to the voters.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.

The post BJP in TN can promise to take over self-financing colleges appeared first on PGurus.