Ex-Minister R. Bindu raises concerns over proposal to convert CET, Thrissur Medical College in Kerala into constituent colleges
Former Kerala Higher Education Minister R. Bindu has publicly opposed the UDF government's plan to convert CET and Thrissur Medical College into constituent colleges. She argues that this shift would grant universities excessive administrative control and facilitate political interference in academic governance.
Why it matters
The debate highlights ongoing tensions regarding the autonomy of premier educational institutions and concerns over political influence in state-level academic administration.
Kerala’s Former Higher Education Minister R. Bindu has expressed strong opposition to the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s move to convert the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET), and Government Medical College, Thrissur, into constituent colleges of universities.
She warned that the proposal could have far-reaching implications for higher education in the State.
In a Facebook post, Dr. Bindu explained that while universities presently exercise authority only over the academic affairs of government and aided affiliated colleges, granting constituent college status would provide the universities wider administrative powers, including authority over faculty appointments, introduction of new academic programmes, and other day-to-day administrative matters.
She recalled that the Shyam B. Menon-chaired Commission for Reforms in Higher Education, constituted by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, had recommended the establishment of constituent colleges in Kerala.
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