Telangana BIE, private junior colleges lock horns over practical exam centres and CCTVs installation

The issue stemmed with the Board imposing hefty fines on private junior colleges operating in mixed occupancy buildings over delay in receiving affiliation for the academic year 2024-25 due to delay in obtaining NoC from the fire department

Hyderabad: The Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TG BIE) and private junior colleges have locked horns over the issue of CCTV surveillance cameras installation for practical exams commencing February 3.

After holding a meeting with Telangana Private Junior College Managements Association here on Saturday, TG BIE Secretary S Krishna Aditya told press persons that all junior colleges, including private junior colleges, would install CCTV surveillance cameras.

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“As for practical exams, installation of CCTVs has been completed. The private colleges are also giving their centres and there are no issues. Practical centres are given to colleges operating in mixed occupancy buildings and exams will be conducted there as well. The CCTV cameras are mandatory and they will be there in all exam centres,” he said.

However, the private managements refuted the Board Secretary’s statement, stating that they would not install CCTVs for practical exams. “The association meeting is underway and soon will announce a final decision,” said Gouri Satish, president, Telangana Private Junior College Managements Association.

The issue stemmed with the Board imposing hefty fines on private junior colleges operating in mixed occupancy buildings over delay in receiving affiliation for the academic year 2024-25 due to delay in obtaining NoC from the fire department. Fire NoC is mandated for colleges, which were operating in up to 15 metres high buildings, but like the last three academic years, the rule was exempted for this academic year as well but at the last minute.

This delayed colleges’ affiliation process, prompting the Board to levy hefty fines. After their pleas to withdraw fines did not elicit a positive response, the college managements announced boycott of both theory and practical exams, and decided not to install CCTVs.

For the academic year 2024-25, a total of 3,246 colleges, including 1,476 private, were granted affiliation by the Board. While 207 private colleges were functioning in mixed occupancy buildings, 180 were granted affiliation after the government exempted them from fire NoC this academic year.

“No students in mixed occupancy colleges have been left out for the exams,” Aditya said.

Number of students who paid exam fees

First year

General: 4,39,199

Vocational: 49,137

Total: 4,88,336

Second year

General: 4,62,009

Vocational: 45,947

Total: 5,07,956

Second-year students appearing for practical exams

General courses

BPC: 98,952

MPC: 2,34,853

Total: 3,33,805

Exam centres: 1,812

Students appearing for vocational practical exams

First year: 49,137

Second year: 46,110

Total: 95,247

Exam centres: 463

Practical exams: February 3 to 22

Timings: 9 am to 12 noon, and 2 pm to 5 pm

Total centres: 2,008

Hall tickets can be downloaded from the link sent by the Board to student’s registered mobile number