BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided in principle to separate Plus Two from Degree colleges to avail funds from the Rashtriya Madhyamika Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA).
The State Government is now losing `150 crore per year for non-separation of Plus Two from the Degree colleges. The National Education Policy has also recommended inclusion of Plus Two wings in high schools under School and Mass Education Department.
Besides, the Government plans to enhance Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) from the existing 16.3 per cent to 30 per cent by 2020 as against the national average of 19.4 per cent. This was decided at a meeting presided by Development Commissioner UN Behera in the State Secretariat recently.
Official sources said a separate directorate for Higher Secondary Education will be created for managing the affairs of Plus Two junior colleges.
Though the Government had decided for bifurcation of Plus Two wing from colleges in 1989-90, the decision is yet to be implemented. However, as it may not be possible to separate the junior colleges from degree colleges from next academic year because of shortage of time, steps will be taken to implement the decision from 2016 academic year.
This apart, the Government will have to amend the Orissa Education Service rules for the separation. Sources said there will be no recruitment of junior lecturers till the separation is carried out. Besides, no new subjects, streams or increase of seats will be allowed in Plus Two colleges.
As many as 255 colleges, both private and Government, have Plus Two and Degree courses. There are 51 Government Plus Two colleges and 46 Degree colleges of which nine junior colleges are functioning on separate campus.
The sanctioned strength of junior lecturers is 1023 in Plus Two and 1818 in Degree colleges. Besides, there are 784 aided colleges of which 500 are Plus Two and 284 Degree colleges. Out of 643 block grant colleges, there are 423 Plus Two and 220 Degree colleges.