Kozhikode: The state government’s decision to bring in private universities is suicidal, given that thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate seats remain vacant in universities and colleges across Kerala, said the Kerala Private College Teachers’ Association (KPCTA).

The association demanded that the government reconsider this move and instead strengthen state-run universities at its University of Calicut Regional Council meeting on Thursday, February 27.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the meeting, KPCTA State Vice-President Prof Biju John M of St Thomas College, Thrissur, said that approving private universities when most colleges affiliated with state-run universities are struggling to attract students will only serve to dismantle the higher education sector.

"Instead, existing universities and colleges should be strengthened. The state and central governments must allocate funds to improve facilities in higher education institutions and approve the necessary teaching positions," he said.

KPCTA, citing Higher Education Minister R Bindu's reply in the Assembly in October, said that 13,974 seats — or nearly 40% of the 35,821 seats — in the University of Kerala's four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUP) remained vacant in the 2024-2025 academic year. Mahatma Gandhi University fared worse, with 30,353 seats or nearly 55% of the total 55,644 seats in its FYUP lying vacant.

In the University of Calicut, 35% or 32,566 of the 92,501 seats remained vacant in the first year of the FYUP. In Kannur University, 37% or 8,660 of the 23,149 seats in its FYUP remained vacant in the 2024-2025 academic year.

Establishing private universities will not solve the current issues in the education sector, said KPCTA. Students from poor families would not be able to afford the exorbitant fees charged by private institutions, said the organisation affiliated with the Congress-led UDF.

Introducing the private university Bill in the Legislative Assembly less than a year after launching the four-year undergraduate programme is for the benefit of corporate entities, it said.

The Kerala Cabinet approved the draft legislation to permit private universities on February 10. Private universities would require an initial investment of at least Rs 25 crore, which only corporate houses can afford, the KPCTA said.

"Instead of facilitating private universities, the government should allow existing universities to operate independently and introduce courses and syllabi as per academic requirements," it said in a statement.

Chairing the KPCTA Regional Council meeting, Prof Chacko V M said the organisation would take out a march and organise a protest meeting in front of the Secretariat on March 3. KPCTA would intensify its agitation against private universities in the coming days, he said.