MK Stalin urges Tamil Nadu to investigate poor performance of engineering students

CHENNAI: DMK treasurer M K Stalin today urged the Tamil Nadu government to constitute an expert panel to inquire into the poor performance of engineering college students under the jurisdiction of state-run Anna University in recently held exams.

"It is of deep concern that the quality (education) of engineering colleges under the control of Anna University has steadily been losing out in quality," he said in a Facebook post.

Forty seven per cent of engineering students who appeared in the November-December 2014 semester exams had failed, he claimed.

"More than 205 colleges registered a pass percentage of less than 40 per cent and in 58 colleges the pass percentage is less than 20 percent."

Claiming that "a recent study" revealed that some faculty were working in more than one college against AICTE norms, he hit out at the AIADMK regime "which is keen on appointing Vice Chancellors and doesn't seem to be interested in maintaining the standard of education in engineering colleges."

Stressing that employability is directly connected to education quality, he appealed for constitution of panel of experts.

"I therefore appeal to the government to constitute a high level committee of experts from IITs and academicians to inquire into the poor performance of students and to suggest specific measures for improving the quality of education in engineering colleges."