Poor enrolment: Telangana women colleges may turn co-ed

HYDERABAD: Beginning from academic year 2020-21, many women’s degree colleges are likely to become co-ed institutions due to poor enrolment. Colleges are now knocking at Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) doors to make the shift. Recently, the TSCHE had issued a notification seeking proposals from degree colleges intending to convert from women’s college to co-ed institutions.Following this, several colleges from the city are expected to approach the TSCHE in order to make the shift by January 31.
“There are many women’s colleges in Hyderabad which are able to fill only 50% to 60% seats every year. While women’s colleges in districts have higher enrolment, women’s colleges are not able to secure as many admissions in Hyderabad,” said president of Telangana Degree and Post-Graduate Colleges Association, Ramana Reddy.

Change in parents’ mindsets towards gender parity is cited as one of the key reasons why a higher number of women’s colleges are willing to convert to co-ed institutions. “Earlier, there was a lot of concern over female students’ security due to which parents preferred an all-women’s college. But now, the mindset has changed as parents have understood that their daughters have to eventually work with men once they are employed,” said Fareetha Farzana, principal of Shine Degree College, LB Nagar.
Officials claim that there is a 60:40 ratio between male and female students in degree colleges due to which managements are preferring to switch to co-ed. “Colleges have realised that if they switch from a women’s college to co-ed, they will be catering to a larger market wherein chances of vacant seats will be lower,” said TSCHE chairman Papi Reddy .
In order to make the shift, managements will have to submit letters from students, parents and staff (teaching and non-teaching) expressing their willingness in writing for conversion of the college before January 31.