Odisha students preferring technical courses as over 1 lakh Plus-3 seats lie vacant after first phase admissions

After the first phase of admissions into plus 3 colleges, more than 1.1 lakh seats in all the three general streams—science, arts, and commerce are lying vacant in the State.

As per reports, the first phase which constituted four rounds of admissions, is already over and 1.11 lakh seats are still lying vacant in general streams indicating that an increased number of students are now preferring to pursue technical education over general degree courses.

“In general streams like arts, science, and commerce, we would not get enough job opportunities like technical students in the ITIs. After completing the ITI, we undertake a year of training after which jobs are fairly easy to get in any industry,” said an ITI student, Alok Dalei.

Another ITI student said, “Had I pursued +2 after my matriculation, I would have ended up in my home with a certificate in my hand. But as I have joined ITI, I can not only get a job after completion of the course, I can open a shop and earn handsomely as well.”

As per reports, there are 2.7 lakh seats in 1040 degree colleges across the State out of which 1,59,055 seats have been filled. As many as 48,454 seats are vacant in the Arts stream, 26,500 in Physical Science, 12,342 seats in Biological Science and 17,069 seats are lying vacant in Commerce stream.

With so many seats remaining vacant, the Higher Education Department is mulling to introduce a second phase of admission in line with plus 2 admissions.

“The syllabus in most of the colleges and universities are too old for new age jobs. They are not updated regularly. Moreover, students do not find these courses helpful to get jobs. These are the main reasons students losing interest,” Mohapatra added.

Similarly, Vice Chancellor of FM University in Balasore, Professor Santosh Tripathy said, “The first thing that is keeping the students away is the notion that only technical education can land them jobs. The second issue is with the admission process. It is too tedious for the students. If the admissions could be simplified, then all the seats can be filled.”

“Out of 128 seats in the Commerce stream, around 100 seats have been filled up. We have currently 28 vacant seats. We are hopeful to fill those too soon,” said Malkangiri College Principal, Lingaraj Mishra.

Addressing the issue, educationist, Kamala Prasad Mohapatra said, “Students are increasingly losing interest in general degree courses because of lack of infrastructure, shortage of lecturers, and absence of courses that can provide them jobs. This is mainly due to a lackadaisical attitude of the government.”