Telangana Universities Score Low In NAAC Accreditation Assessment  

Hyderabad: A startling revelation has come to fore about the quality of education in Telangana as only a few institutions have received accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for the year 2016.

Out of 3,000 colleges and 10 universities only 153 colleges and two universities have got NAAC accreditation in the state. However, neighboring states - Andhra Pradesh (13), Karnataka (79), Tamil Nadu (21) and Kerala (24) have higher number of NAAC accredited institutions.

Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda got B grade accreditation. Among colleges, only St. Martin’s Engineering College, Hyderabad, and Koti Government Degree College for Women, Hyderabad, figured in the latest accreditation list.

Telangana University was the first one to be rated by the national council last December. The list of institutions released by NAAC has been approved by the 17th Standing Committee on September 16.

Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda got B grade accreditation. Among colleges, only St. Martin’s Engineering College, Hyderabad, and Koti Government Degree College for Women, Hyderabad, figured in the latest accreditation list

Meanwhile, educationists say that lack of accreditation can lead to loss of funds granted by the University Grants Commission under various schemes.

“NAAC accreditation is essential for any financial assistance. It is mandatory for us to cite our academic ratings. All institutions have to use it as a basis to get funds,” said Khaja Altaf Hussain, Mahatma Gandhi University vice-chancellor.

A major hurdle for state universities to get accreditation was appointment of vice-chancellors, but now the bigger impediment is filling up vacant teachers’ posts.

“Filling up vacant teaching posts is turning out to be tricky with the government insisting on approvals,” said Battu Satyanarayana, president of Telangana state federation of university teachers’ association.

Unless the universities have teaching staff they can’t improve and without funds granted by the UGS, staff can’t be recruited.