Kerala's Free Undergraduate Education Promise Undermined by Costly Internship Mandates
The Kerala state government's commitment to providing free undergraduate education is being severely tested as students enrolled in the newly introduced Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) are compelled to pay significant sums for mandatory internships. In the absence of a clear regulatory framework, many private firms listed on the government's official portal are charging hefty fees, transforming what was intended as valuable industry exposure into a financial burden for students.
Internship Portal Reveals Disturbing Reality of Fee-Based Placements
The higher education department, through the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), launched the 'Internship Kerala' portal in October last year to centralize internship placements for FYUGP students. The platform promised "hands-on industry experience" through approved firms across the state. However, investigations reveal that many listed companies operate primarily as training centers offering IT-related courses alongside internships, all while charging substantial fees.
"Internships Available for FYUGP Students" reads an advertisement board of a small-scale firm in Kochi that charges Rs 10,000 from each student enrolling for an internship. Critics argue that such firms often prioritize running paid programs rather than providing meaningful workplace learning experiences.
Student Voices Highlight Widespread Confusion and Financial Strain
Rifa Fathima, a second-year student at SMSTM Arts and Science Women's College in Malappuram, expressed frustration about the internship component. "There were no clear instructions on how to enroll for internships. Even teachers are unsure. The government portal mostly lists options that demand high fees, which many of us cannot afford," she said.
Merlia Saji, a second-year archaeology student at St Mary's College in Kottayam, has been searching unsuccessfully for a free internship program in her field. Similarly, a second-year student from Government Victoria College in Palakkad reported finding only paid options on the portal, creating accessibility issues for students from middle- and lower-income backgrounds.
Faculty and Officials Acknowledge Systemic Challenges
A Malayalam language teacher at a Thrissur college affiliated with Calicut University, speaking anonymously, confirmed that confusion prevails at every level. "To ensure students don't lose credits, some are being registered as volunteers at cultural or educational institutions. Whether this actually provides skill development is unclear," the teacher admitted.
Rasheed Ahammed P, a Calicut University syndicate member, has formally raised the issue with Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, describing the current situation as "institutionalized financial exploitation." He argued that imposing new financial burdens under the guise of internships is unjust and morally indefensible, potentially encouraging corruption and private profiteering at students' expense.
Experts Question Portal Vetting and Policy Implementation
Amruth G Kumar, professor of education at Central University of Kerala, emphasized that internships were meant to offer structured industry exposure preparing students for employment. "Without clear guidelines, firms will mushroom simply to generate income. This becomes counterproductive," he warned.
Kumar questioned the parameters used for empaneling companies on the government portal, asking whether an expert committee evaluated whether these firms genuinely provide industrial experience. "Listing a company on a government website automatically gives it legitimacy," he noted.
Government Response and Ongoing Concerns
When contacted, senior KSHEC members stated that Keltron, which has expertise in the field, was contracted to set up the portal, and the council has not provided specific guidelines for selecting private firms. "Only reputed firms are currently offering internships through the platform. Some private firms that failed to get listed on the portal are now raising criticism," an official claimed.
The official acknowledged that providing internships for traditional arts and science courses remains challenging and promised that the portal would address this issue. Discussions are reportedly underway with the state government to include all Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) on the portal to expand internship opportunities.
Calls for Reform and Transparent Accreditation
Students and educators are now demanding:
- Transparent accreditation norms for internship providers
- Mandatory vetting of companies offering placements
- Clear academic guidelines for internship implementation
- Expansion of stipend-based opportunities, particularly for economically weaker students
They argue that the current program risks normalizing a pay-to-learn model where academic credits come at a price, forcing students to bear the cost of policy gaps in higher education reform.
