With certainty about commencement of the new Government Arts and Science College in Sathyamangalam during this academic year surfacing through issuance of applications, the focus has now shifted on creation of hostel facilities for the students.
On the very first day, 180 applications were sold. The process of selling and receiving applications will end on June 8.
The new college is expected to offer three undergraduate courses: B.A. English Literature, B.A. Economics and B.Com. Teachers from other government colleges will be deputed on transfer, official sources said.
The work on construction of new buildings at Malaiadipudur has started, and the temporary buildings provided by the Raghavendra Group of Institutions till the new campus gets ready have also been entrusted with the Directorate of Collegiate Education.
The very idea is to provide higher educational opportunities for students of tribal and scheduled caste communities passing out of seven higher secondary schools on Sathy and Kadambur hills, and hence, the question of providing them accommodation has arisen now.
The new college is expected to serve the higher educational needs of economically poor students in Bhavani Sagar, Sathyamangalam, Punjai Puliampatti and Gobichettipalayam as well. While those on the plains will be able to commute from their homes, students from the hills have no economic means to afford the huge costs towards staying.
According to the former MLA of Bhavani Sagar P.L. Sundaram, who has made a representation to the Department of Adi-Dravida Welfare for making immediate arrangements for stay of SC/ST students, the unused capacity in the hostels meant for school students could be utilised for housing the newly-admitted college students hailing from the hilly parts.
On an average, a student staying outside will have to spend at least Rs. 2,000 per month towards staying and food expenses, and hence, the government machinery must act fast to enable the poor students to avail the benefits of free stay in government hostel, S. Mohankumar, Sathy Taluk Convenor of Tamil Nadu Paznahgudi Makkal Sangam said.
Those from the hills studying in a few private colleges in and around Sathyamangalam will also benefit from the start of a new hostel for college students belonging to SC/ST communities, Mr. Mohankumar said.
The new college
is expected
to offer three undergraduate courses
