We should reduce the seats for B.A./B.Sc. students by two – thirds. That is the lesson of the results of the University of the Panjab for the examination this year.
Why so many students failed? They were most probably weak in English, as are students of all other classes. They did not give full attention to their studies. They might have chosen the wrong subjects. They were not keen to go to college in the first place but were pressurized into it by parents and others.
Whatever the reason, the failed students wasted two years of their life. They wasted the money that their parents spent on them. They wasted the resources that the country spent on their education. They are also unable to join any professional college or get a good job.
What should be done? Make it more difficult to join degree classes. However, entry tests will be difficult to administer because of the large number of students and colleges involved (unlike professional colleges).
An easier and more effective method will be to raise the bar. The merit for the students seeking admission to B.A./B.Sc. classes should be at least 50% marks in the Higher Secondary examination. The limit may be raised still higher (say to 55 or 60%) if it does not reduce the number of applications to the desired level. The target should be to enroll only the students that are certain to do well.
The higher entry requirement will not be against the poor students. In fact, it will favor them. If they work harder, they will be in a better position than rich students. Only higher fees and expenses go against them.
What should be done after a huge reduction in the number of failed degree students?
a) Provide more facilities to the students who do get admission.
b) Introduce postgraduate classes in more degree colleges.
c) Convert some government degree colleges in a district into technical institutions if enough degree students are no longer available for them.
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