Alarmingly, as many as 39 subjects taught at 35 colleges under the Bhubaneswar region of the higher education department have recorded zero admissions in the 2023-24 academic year. Mathematics and English stand out as the most affected subjects. These colleges belong to eight different districts, with Cuttack having the highest number of subjects with zero enrollment. Other affected districts include Kendrapada, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Angul, and Puri.
Multiple factors are contributing to this concerning situation. One major reason is the shortage of qualified teachers to impart knowledge effectively. Students often express apprehension about performing well in subjects like mathematics and English, leading them to choose alternative subjects. Another contributing factor is the lack of adequate infrastructure within the institutions. Furthermore, the fear of not achieving satisfactory grades discourages students from pursuing certain subjects.
The regional directorate of education (RDE) in Bhubaneswar has identified three colleges from Dhenkanal, Jajpur, and Khurda districts that have consistently reported zero admissions over the past two academic sessions. Show-cause notices were issued to these colleges, but their authorities failed to provide satisfactory explanations. Consequently, admission restrictions have been imposed on these institutions, with further steps being taken toward their possible closure.
On May 3rd, the RDE reached out to colleges under its jurisdiction to gather information on subjects experiencing zero admissions. Additionally, show-cause notices were issued to institutions with such subjects. The issue of zero admissions highlights the challenges faced by the education sector in Bhubaneswar and underscores the need for immediate measures to address the shortage of teachers, improve infrastructure, and enhance student motivation toward certain subjects.
