(Article published on 15th August 2007, the day India celebrates its sixtieth year of Independence)
Abstract
Being a government run institution , the Government College of Teacher Education,
Calicut, South India , attracts the cream of talent. Admission is solely on the basis of merit and the brilliant students of the state opt to study in the government run college. The college has won several prizes in cultural and arts competitions and has bagged many distinctions and University ranks in the last fifty years of its existence. It has also produced many notable leaders particularly Prof. Sukumar Azhikode a social critic and activist whose candidly cutting remarks can even today send a shiver down the spine of those at the helm of affairs in the state of Kerala, South India.
During the dawn of Independence the native government run activities invariably smacked of British influence. But in the mellowing years things began to acquire a truly native flavour. But aping the West in everything appears to be a habit that runs deep in many leaders. This has resulted in the deluge of privatization of Education and the utter disregard of Government run institutions! In the 1990’s several optional subjects in the Government College of Teacher Education , Calicut, South India, did not have a permanent faculty ! Now however things have slightly improved… only three optional subjects lack a permanent faculty .
The profile of the college which this article attempts to draw brings out a very grim picture. … as if begging for alms for survival and a face lift!
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The Govt College of Teacher Education , originally known as Govt. Training College started functioning in the present three acre campus in 1950-51. It has three blocks. One main block constructed in Victorian architectural style in 1910 and a new block constructed in 1986. It also has a new library and auditorium block which was constructed in the Jubilee year in 2001.
The college faces the picturesque centuries old fresh water tank and famous Mananchira Park. Acquisition of land by the PWD resulted in the College losing over thirty cents of land where a large garden and a line of shade- giving trees once existed. Though the garden was destroyed, the trees were not cut down and they continue to add charm to the public foot path adjacent to the College compound wall. (Please see wikimapia )
The old block, houses the College Office, the Principal’s Office, and a few classrooms. The new block has two floors. Besides classrooms it has a Computer lab, Language lab and Psychology lab. Years ago plans were submitted for demolishing part of the Old block and for the construction of a new Science Block but nothing has materialized . This is least surprising because even white washing of the building has not taken place in the last ten years!
Separated by an compound wall with a gate is a Playground and two other blocks in which the Govt. Model High School is functioning. Another old building which was once the College Girls’ Hostel is now occupied by the Office of the Deputy Director, Collegiate Education .Requests have already been made for shifting the office from the Model School campus to the authorities but was of no use.
Classes for General papers are conducted in the old auditorium. Seminars are held in the Open air Pedagogic Park . The Pedagogic Park under the shade of a huge tree with a seating capacity of 120 built exclusively by the PTA at a cost of Rs.60000/- is a venue for seminars and outdoor classes on hot summer days. Which government institution would have the resources from the PTA for such a venture when the contributions students make on an average towards PTA every year is hardly one thousand rupees.
The College Men’s Hostel is situated at Karaparamba , East Hill, five kilometers away from the College campus. ( Please see wikimapia ) It is adjacent to the College Staff Quarters. The Men’s Hostel can comfortably accommodate twenty five trainees and with a slight congestion thirty five trainees. In 2005-06 fifteen trainees resided in the Men’s Hostel . In 2006-07 it was converted to a Women’s Hostel and thirty trainees resided . Two teaching staff and two non-teaching staff resided in the Staff Quarters in 2005-06. and 2006-07
The recently renovated Women’s Waiting Room with an attached toilet and bathroom is made good use of by the trainees, especially Muslim girl trainees who have to change their dress (College uniform) and offer prayers during Prayer hours. But during 2006-07 it was converted into the Men’s Hostel and ten trainees had a congested existence for one academic year.
As the college is located in the heart of the city of Kozhikode, the college auditorium and old library hall is a regular venue for educational / cultural programmes for the general public. A few such programmes which were held in the college on request from the District Collector include, Photo Exhibition of the Anniversary of Salt Sathyagraha and an exhibition of the Archaeological Survey of India. On holidays, Painting exhibitions, Quiz and literary competitions are also held for the general public by NGO’s after obtaining permission from the Principal. A regular event organized in the college during the holidays of the national festival, Onam is the five –day IRDP exhibition –cum-sales. It is a time when the auditorium and the corridors of the college are flooded by the residents of Kozhikode!
Often the Principal of the college has to entertain requests from the Banking sector, LIC, UPSC etc for conducting competitive examinations in the college on Sundays. The college however charges NGO’s who use the college building for hosting programmes a nominal fee which they have to pay to the PTA account.
Being a government institution it is completely dependent on funds for renovation of the college building by the PWD department. Repeated written requests for repairs and renovation usually fall on deaf ears and the college manages to clean/conduct minor repairs using the meager PTA contribution collected from trainees during the commencement of each academic year. Once funds are made available by the government and renovation and construction work of the new block is undertaken, they hope to considerably improve the present infrastructure of the college.
Education 
