KOTTAYAM: Procedural delays and an entangled policy structure is tarnishing the glory of the famed K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts at Thekkumthala near here. The delay in procuring equipment and setting up facilities even after the first batch entered the second semester has invited severe criticism.
One of the dream projects of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, the institute started functioning in the village of Thekkumthala near Pallickathode last year. The classes for the first batch students commenced in August, following a national-level entrance test and interview. Other than the infrastructure, the institute does not have all the required equipment, studio set-up and library.
In the first semester spanning between September and December, a foundation course was conducted for the students. The authorities claim that according to the syllabus, practical classes will be needed only from second semester onwards. So the delay in the procurement of equipment is not causing much inconvenience to the students. The process of procurement, which was expected to be over by December, has been postponed owing to certain procedural delays. According to Institute director Gnana Rajasekharan, a purchase order has already been placed for the equipment and books for library. He assured that the stock will arrive by January 16.
The results for the first semester exam, conducted after the foundation class, were recently published by the Institute. However, confusion looms among the students over the course structure and the syllabus as they are yet to receive any official communication regarding the same. The director said that the course syllabus has been developed by a Board of Studies, based on the format directed by Academic Council. The syllabus thus formed has to be approved by the same council. The next council meeting will be convened in less than three weeks, he said.
The project was announced in 2006 as a centre of excellence in the field of visual arts, predominantly film education. The civil works had commenced with one time financial assistance of `1.95 crore from the Central Government. The `53-crore project was planned to be executed in two phases. Out of these, `11 crore had been allotted for buying furniture and equipment. Any further delay in setting up the facilities will affect the conduct of the course.