Delay in admission hits nursing aspirants
   Date :30-May-2019

 
By Ajay Mardikar:
 
IGGMCH seats reduced from 40 to 27 n No regular teachers even in Government nursing schools 
 
Despite talks about importance of trained nursing and their dedication, the Maharashtra Government has not been able to pay attention to this noble profession. Inordinate delay in activating the plan, almost every year, is an indication of lack of intentions of the Government. The list of intake capacity for the academic year 2019-20 was announced for all government and private institutions. However, the process for admission are delayed up to November every year.
 
This poses problems for the institutions to fill in the seats in time. The results of Std XII are usually declared in the last week of May. The admission process should start immediately. Sources from a private college told ‘The Hitavada’ that even a couple of days before commencement of the examination, government authorities direct these colleges to admit students. The enrolment number is issued immediately, examination form accepted and the students appears for the examination. Managements of some of the private colleges have even moved court against these practice. They have pleaded that such admissions are illegal. If it is exposed, the college managements will be held guilty of malpractice. The government authorities will easily hold back the grants or scholarship amounts of such colleges. Besides not filling up the posts of teachers and principals, the state government has also reduced intake of nursing school at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, from 40 to 27.
 
No reason for reducing the seats has been mentioned in the notification. The Nursing Council of India has announced its plan to upgrade General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) course to B Sc (Nursing). Similar decision also was announced in the year 2014. However, without infrastructure, including teaching staff, the decision holds no meaning. Delay in completing admissions is adversely affecting the aspiring nurses and the college managements as well. Most affected are the students from rural areas. A large number of girl students from remote tribal areas opt for nursing course.
 
They get employment easily. Colleges in these areas also are happy to admit such aspirants as they are dedicated, enthusiastic in learning and work honestly. As the scholarship amounts are directly transferred to the students’ accounts, the possibility of malpractice are reduced. The association of graduate nursing staff, have been meeting government authorities in connection with their demands. The tutors are made principals only for signing the documents.
 
A large number of senior tutors are due to retire on superannuating. Despite the fact that they were made principals temporarily, and delivering services as teachers, they will retire as tutors only. They will also suffer financial loss, as their post-retirement benefits will be calculated as per the pay scale of a tutor. The Association has appealed to the government authorities to sort out the problems and grant justice to them.