Private junior, degree colleges under fire in Mancherial for risking student lives

Several private colleges in Mancherial are under scrutiny for operating without approval, running illegal hostels, and compromising student safety. The death of an 18-year-old student in a hostel fall triggered outrage. Officials confirmed multiple violations, including denial of TCs

Mancherial: Several private junior and degree colleges in Mancherial are under intense scrutiny for allegedly operating without mandatory approvals, compromising student safety, and exploiting parents under the guise of offering quality education.

Many of these colleges are reportedly functioning without permission, running hostels and academic programmes illegally for quick profits. They offer unauthorised short- and long-term coaching for IIT and NEET entrance exams while charging exorbitant fees from unsuspecting parents. Alarmingly, most of them fail to implement even basic safety measures, especially in student hostels.

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The recent death of 18-year-old Kothapalli Sahasra from Luxettipet has sparked public outrage. Sahasra fell to her death from the third floor of a hostel building attached to a private college on Tuesday. Her parents blamed the college management for negligence, alleging that the absence of window grills in the hostel led to the fatal fall. They demanded strict action against the institution for endangering students’ lives.

Further concerns have emerged over alleged harassment by some colleges, which are reportedly denying transfer certificates (TCs) to students wishing to pursue higher education elsewhere. Managements are allegedly forcing Intermediate students to enrol in their degree programmes and are demanding commitments to continue studying at the same institutions.

In another disturbing case, the management of Prathibha Junior College reportedly absconded overnight after defaulting on Rs. 8 crore borrowed from multiple sources. This left students in the lurch, struggling to retrieve their certificates. The Board of Intermediate Education later intervened to resolve the issue.

Student union leader Srikanth accused college managements of exploiting parents and students by running unauthorised coaching centres and hostels. “They are more interested in profits than in the safety of students,” he said, calling for inspections and immediate seizure of institutions flouting norms.

District Intermediate Education Officer (DIEO) Anjaiah admitted that some college managements showed little interest in securing recognition or adhering to safety regulations. He confirmed that the college involved in Sahasra’s death had failed to obtain permission to change its name and shift premises.