Magadh Mahila College, a constituent college of Patna University, on Wednesday marked its 71st foundation day celebration on its campus. State education minister Krishnandan Prasad Verma was the chief guest at the function attended by Patna University (PU) vice-chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh and former college principal and PU pro vice-chancellor Dolly Sinha.
However, the college administration - which is facing a severe funds crunch with the introduction of free education for girl students two year back - was dejected as neither the education minister nor PU officials announced any monetary assistance for the college to tide over its funds crisis.
Women's colleges, including Magadh Mahila College, are facing a funds crisis owing to the state government's failure to reimburse fees they had to waive as per the government directive while admitting girl students.
Two years back, the state government had made education up to post-graduation free for SC/ST and girl students. Internal resources for colleges are the fees they collect from students for admission and tuition. But as the state government has not reimbursed the money for two years now, colleges' internal resources have dried up. "At the foundation day function, we urged education minister Krishan Nandan Prasad Verma to reimburse the money, but there was no assurance from the minister as to when the college will get the money reimbursed," Magadh Mahila College principal Dharamshila Prasad said. The Jitan Ram Manjhi government had in February 2015, decided to provide free education to SC, ST and girl students till their post-graduation. When Nitish Kumar returned as chief minister, he continued with the policy.
According to this decision, no fees are taken from SC/ST and girl students at the time of admission in government universities and colleges and the government reimburses the financial loss to institutions after gathering the relevant information.
Though, the minister failed to give any specific deadline when the education department will release the funds, he highlighted the contribution made by colleges in educating girls in the state. Highlighting the education scenario in the state, Verma said education in urban colleges was satisfactory, but a lot of work had to be carried out in rural areas.
"For rural education, a chaupal (gathering) will be organised where feedback will be collected from people on how to improve higher education standard in rural colleges," Verma said.
Highlighting the contribution of Magadh Mahila College in girls' education, PU vice-chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh urged the college administration to actively participate in the Patna University's centenary year celebrations.
Various cultural activities were organised on the occasion of the college's foundation day celebration. Ankita, a history student, said: "Our college is the best in all aspects. Teaching apart, it gives impetus to extra-curricular activities too."
Magadh Mahila College, established in 1946, is the oldest government college for girls in Bihar. The college is also the first where teaching in science subjects began as early as 1947. Presently the college is imparting education to more than 3,000 girl students in 32 degree and diploma courses in the faculty of Arts, Sciences, Commerce and different vocational courses.
