Staff shortage is large issue for Delhi University colleges.Delhi University has failed to appoint over 4,500 teachers in the past five years,the problem is going to become worse as more than 34% or 22 colleges are operating currently without a permanent principal in place.These numbers are going to rise as superannuation of more principals is on the anvil next month.
Teachers claim that the biggest casualty has been the governance and decision making at these colleges.Many teachers see the non-appointment of permanent principals by the previous administration a chance to run colleges at their whims and fancies.
Out of the 64 colleges,22,including Hans Raj College and Hindu College,have been running via officiating principals for over five years.India;s number one Commerce college Shri Ram College of Commerce¬†(SRCC) and Kirori Mal College (KMC) too doesn’t have permanent principals.
According to DU rules,an officiating or acting principal is appointed for a term of six months at the most, following which the post is supposed to be filled permanently, or the term is extended.
The last permanent principal of SRCC,Mr P C Jain,superannuated in October 2014.The principal’s post in Hans Raj College fell vacant in the year 2009 with the superannuation of S R Arora, while Hindu has been under an officiating principal since the year 2008. The governing bodies of Hindu College and SRCC has sent names for appointment of new principals in December 2016,but the Delhi University¬†administration is yet to approve them.
Mr PC Jain,Ex Principal SRCC told Times of India “Vested interests have prompted non-appointment of permanent principals. Thousands of teachers have long been protesting for the appointments, yet no action has been taken. We want to create centres of excellence,yet the institutions have been running headless for the past 4-5 years. Is this the way to run educational institutions in the country?”
Questioning the authorities and administration Mr PC Jain told Times of India “There is so much of callousness and complacency. It’s shocking that people sitting at responsible positions are not responding to the requirements.If this can happen at DU,think about the fate of other institutions.”
