Thiruvananthapuram: The university law reforms commission has recommended a set of comprehensive laws for the management of self-financing colleges except the engineering and medical colleges in the state. The commission for higher education chaired by Dr NK Jayakumar suggested conducting admissions on a merit basis and granting autonomous status to the self-financing colleges which received permanent affiliations.

The draft of recommendations submitted to the higher education minister R Bindu proposed to discard the laws introduced in the previous year and launch the latest.

The tribunal chaired by a Supreme Court/High Court judge has the authority to issue a final order in the disputes of universities, as per the recommendation.

The new recommendations demand the representation of self-financing colleges in the university senates. The representatives will be two teachers in the self-financing college, the principal and the manager, who are nominated by the government. The commission has advised to include representatives of self-financing colleges in the affiliated college councils also.

The draft proposed to grant affiliation for self-financing colleges for a year in the first phase. Later, it could be renewed for five years. The colleges have to obtain the accreditation of NAAC or SAAC in the meantime. If the college received a B Plus grade the second time, the affiliation will again carry forward to the next five years. Further, 10 years of affiliation will be extended by evaluating the 15 years' performance of the college and finding it satisfactory. Commission also noted to accord permanent affiliation if the college managed to acquire an A Plus grade in the third evaluation for accreditation. Once permanent affiliation was obtained, the college could be awarded autonomous status.

Other conditions

  • Form regulatory committee to appoint teachers and other staff in self-financing colleges
  • Teachers have to be appointed according to UGC guidelines
  • Colleges have to seek the approval of university for teachers’ appointments
  • Teachers should be ensured a salary fixed by the committee formed by the government
  • Salary has to be dispensed within the first five days of each month through a crossed cheque, DD or via bank account
  • Holidays and allowances given for the government and aided colleges will have to be ensured for teachers in self-financing colleges
  • Ensure EPF and insurance facilities