Agartala: Several organisations of guest faculty members posted in different colleges across Tripura have alleged violation of the UGC norms as the state government has not made adequate efforts to fill vacant posts of assistant professors in colleges.
According to the guest faculty members, the shortfall of assistant professors stands at a staggering 1,900. According to the UGC guidelines, Tripura should have 2,423 assistant professors to maintain the prescribed teacher-student ratio. The present strength is just 507.
Colleges are largely relying on around 732 guest lecturers, but one of the organisations claimed that among them, only 150 are adequately qualified as per UGC norms to impart classes.
The situation appears so grave that even the combined strength of guest lecturers and assistant professors falls far short of the UGC-prescribed number of teachers.
Tripura Atithi Adhyapak Sangha, an offshoot of the Tripura NET, SLET, and PhD Forum, held a general meeting on Saturday and highlighted what it termed a mismatch between sanctioned strength and actual appointments in colleges across the state.
A leader of the organisation said that, as per University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and the prescribed teacher-student ratio, a total of 2,413 assistant professors should be in place in the state's higher education institutions.
"In Tripura today, we have 28 General Degree Colleges, five professional degree colleges and seven technical degree colleges. In our calculation, if UGC guidelines are to be followed strictly and the prescribed teacher-student ratio maintained, a total of 2,413 assistant professors should be appointed in higher education institutions," the leader said.
He further stated that the present strength of assistant professors stands at 507. "At present, the total number of assistant professors is 507, comprising 449 in general degree colleges and the rest in technical and professional degree colleges. These figures are authentic as they were placed in the recently concluded Assembly session," he said.
Citing figures presented in the state Assembly by the Higher Education Minister, the organisation said there were significant vacancies across institutions. "In Government Degree Colleges, there are 683 sanctioned posts, of which 234 are vacant. In professional degree colleges, 26 posts are vacant, and in technical degree colleges, 43 posts are vacant. A total of 306 posts are currently lying vacant. The Higher Education Minister informed the Assembly of these figures," the leader said.
The organisation also pointed to the heavy reliance on guest faculty to sustain academic activities. "The government has stated that a total of 732 guest faculty members are conducting classes regularly to ensure that the academic process does not get hampered. New colleges and universities are being set up, but vacancies are not being filled in proportion," he said, adding that this situation is adversely affecting adequately qualified aspirants.
Referring to UGC guidelines issued in 2019, the leader said that qualifications for guest faculty should be at par with those of assistant professors. "UGC in 2019 issued a guideline stating that the qualification of a guest faculty member should be at par with that of an assistant professor. This means that without NET, SLET, or PhD, no one should be recruited as guest faculty," he said.
He alleged that a large number of current guest faculty members do not meet these norms. "Of the 732 guest faculty members currently conducting classes across the state, only 150 are adequately qualified as per UGC norms. This amounts to a gross violation of UGC norms," he said.
Placing their demands, the organisation called for regularisation of eligible guest lecturers and structural reforms in recruitment. "We are raising three major demands: First, guest lecturers who have been conducting classes and possess sufficient qualifications should be regularised and appointed as assistant professors.
"Second, new posts could be created as state-aided assistant professors, a system already in practice in several states. Third, the age limit for the post of assistant professor should be withdrawn. Only in Tripura has a 40-year age limit been imposed. As per UGC norms, this age bar should be permanently removed," the leader said.
According to him, in central universities across the country, candidates can apply for assistant professor posts at any age, but this restriction is unique to Tripura.
Another body, Guest Lecturer Karmachari Sangha, also pressed for regularisation and the introduction of a structured policy for guest lecturers.
An office bearer of the organisation said, "A fixed salary along with a proper policy should be introduced for guest lecturers. Due to the absence of such a policy, we face annual harassment. Despite having the required qualifications and conducting classes throughout the year, we are forced to appear for interviews again at the end of each academic session."
The organisations said they would continue to pursue their demands with the state government.
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