Association of Self-Financing Arts, Science and Management colleges of Tamilnadu was started in the year 2003. The Association was started with the objective to bring together Arts, Science & Management colleges under one umbrella to protect and bring the problems & issues facing the self-finance colleges of ASFASMTN to the notice of various Government and related authorities. The associations has members from various college managements from all over Tamilnadu.
The association, with the driving forces of a democratic structure, voluntary participation, transparent function, apolitical character, and an unbiased attitude towards teacher-student welfare and academic pursuit is fulfilling the dreams of our forefathers with regard to education. The association is guided by the principles of secularism and the right to education for all. It envisages a holistic and secular education with protection of minority rights in education for the socially backward and economically weaker strata of the society.
India, upon Independence, had access to higher education essentially through public universities, and colleges, and other institutions. Access to higher education was limited, and the enrolment ratio remained below 5 per cent.
Although India has shown improvement in the past decade with the increasing number of institutes and students, it is still not consistent with the global ratios for GER. The average GER ratio worldwide is considered to be 30%, and India is still lagging behind when compared to USA with 39%, UK 59%, Japan 55%, and China 28%. India needs more institutions and accreditations in order to compete as a super power.
Self-financing Institutions have been in existence in developed countries for a long time and have been rendering yeoman service to the cause of education. However, India, which donned the mantle of "socialism" in the initial three to four decades realized the potential of private sector in the field of education a bit late.
India realized the importance of untapped and employable human resource it possessed which would be rendered stagnant if these millions of young men and women were to depend only on Government Institutions or Government-aided Higher Educational Institutions.
With poverty and poor health care staring in its face, India could not allocate more than a fraction of its budget for Education. Hence ultimately private sector was also roped in.
Despite the number of self-financing institutions in several states, it was Tamil Nadu which took a very late step to rope in the Private Sector in the form of Private Polytechnics. Slowly, this extended to Engineering and Arts and Science Colleges. Hundreds of such institutions came into being during the last three decades with an infrastructure worth thousands of crores.
Thus, from a mere 6 % Gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education, Tamil Nadu moved on to more than 42% GER. In addition, thousands of highly educated men and women found employment as teachers in these self-financing institutions.
Education across all strata is the sole hope for progress of a Nation. On the contrary, according to a media report:
- Among the 1.2 billion populations, 44% comprises children
- India spends only 3.3% of its GDP on Education
- Due to Free and Compulsory Education Act, enrolment ratio in primary schools is high and the dropout rate is 50% for boys and 58% for girls
- 37% of secondary students fail and 11% drop out even before the exams
- The Gross Enrolment Ratio of higher education is very low
Vision
"Spreading the True Wealth of Education"
With the growing number of students and teachers under the aegis of self-financing institutions, it is our endeavour to provide quality education at an affordable cost. Besides, we aim to mould our students into responsible citizens.
Mission
The association will act as a bridge between various stakeholders to enhance a healthy and pro-active relationship among governments, universities, colleges, teachers, and students. Since its inception in 2003, the association will strive for continuous improvement in the field of Education surmounting all challenges including the ever-changing socio-economic situation while conforming humbly to Government Rules and Regulations.
Objectives
The association, with the driving forces of a democratic structure, voluntary participation, transparent function, apolitical character, and an unbiased attitude towards teacher-student welfare and academic pursuit will fulfil the dreams of our forefathers with regard to education. The association will be guided by the principles of secularism and the right to education for all. It envisages a holistic and secular education with protection of minority rights in education for the socially backward and economically weaker strata of the society.
/ ASFASMTN