Classes for SC/ST a no show

BAREILLY: The Rohilkhand university gets a notable sum of Rs 50 lakh to run remedial classes for SC/ST and OBC students every five years, but students are either unaware of uninterested in availing this facility, due to which the varsity was forced to return a major amount to the UGC.
The remedial coaching classes are meant to help weak students up to speed in their syllabus.
The university authorities have been operating the remedial coaching centres for students belonging to the minority and the economically backward communities with the help of University Grant Commission (UGC) since 2009, but only 12% of the total number of students who fall in these categories have actually availed the facility this year.
Though there are more than 2,500 students who fit into the categories and can avail this facility, it becomes tough for authorities to find such students who wish to study at this coaching centre as the figure this year stands at a dismal 300.
Under a five year scheme, UGC gives a grant to university to run remedial coaching and classes for competitive exams for students of SC/STs, OBCs, minority and economically backward communities whose parents’ annual income is less than Rs 2 lakh.
However, due to lukewarm response of students towards the coaching centre, the university officials are unable to spend the budget allotted for it. For the period 2009-12, the university had received a budget of Rs 50 lakh and as it could spend only around 12 lakh, rest of the amount was returned to the UGC. The university officials pay a sum of Rs 500 for 90 minutes to the professor who takes the class.
Rohilkhand varsity had received the first grant in 2006 but coaching centre was started in 2009 and officials of the university have never been able to gather more than 500 students annually.
It was the last academic session 2012-13 when the coaching centre had the highest number of students and it was nearly 500. Due to lack of interest among students, the coaching centre currently runs remedial classes in a few subjects like English, history and education and coaching for JRF exam.
There should be at least 10 students to start a new batch and the classes take place after 2 pm. A student can study in coaching centre for maximum 50 hours in one subject.
“Even if a student who does not belong to the minority categories approaches us for classes, we allow them to attend it as our aim is to help weak students,” said Shyam Lal Bihari, convenor of remedial coaching centre.
Bihari said, “We have been sending notices on coaching centre to dean of every department, once in 15 days and also have pasted notices at many points of varsity. However, there is no interest among students about it and even most of the teachers do not cooperate with us by encouraging students to avail this service.”
He added, “Students do not show any interest in services which are free of cost. We are planning to put up hoardings in and around campus to educate them about the benefits of coaching centre.”
When TOI asked students on why they do not attend free remedial coaching classes and instead opt for expensive coaching classes, majority of the students expressed unawareness about this service. “Nobody informed us that such coaching centre is being run in the university campus,” said Madhu Diwakar, a MA II year student.