Mysore, July 12 (JP) - Mysore University in an attempt to reduce the drop-out rate among rural post graduate students is introducing 'Earn while you Learn' scheme from August this year.

The scheme as envisaged by Prof V.G. Talwar, Vice-Chancellor, Mysore Varsity, will provide rural students with part-time jobs at the library, printing press and various departmental labs. A corpus fund of Rs. 6 lakh has been earmarked for this scheme. According to University sources, the scheme will be introduced to under-graduate students also.

The problem before the University is absence of parameters that will identify a rural student who needs help apart form economic considerations. A source at the University said that there was always possibility of the scheme being misused. "There may be some who will take advantage by producing false income certificates," he said adding that this has been the bane of many such schemes meant to benefit students and the Varsity should tackle this at the earliest. It may be recalled that some years ago there was a scandal relating to the misuse of hostel facilities in Manasagangotri.

Referring to the scheme, sources said that private participation was ruled out and that all jobs will only be within the University. Beneficiaries will be identified once the ongoing PG exams are over and classes for next semester commence in Aug.

A senior staff member from the University’s publication department claims that the move to employ PG students under the scheme may not be welcome as this will be seen as a threat to the livelihood of Univeristy staff. There are already several employees in the editorial and proof reading departments of Prasara-nga who have been employed on contract basis and have not been confirmed till today.

This is also the case in the Kannada and Folklore department where there are several research scholars who have been employed as proof readers and DTP operators on contract basis. One of them, who holds two doctorates— one in Geology and the other in Sanskrit— and has been working as a contract editor for the past 5 years and whose services are likely to be terminated, told SOM that if the VC goes through with this idea, then there will be strong opposition from the qualified contract employees.

Another Doctorate, who has been an editor in Prasaranga, speaking to SOM, said "When we needed staff like DTP operators and proof readers, the VC refused. We are forced to borrow staff from Folklore and Kannada departments and share them. Now how will this scheme help anybody? The students or the departments? When will these students offer their services? It seems the VC does not have time to think about these future problems at all."

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore