Higher edu dept seeks list of ‘underqualified’ faculty

Bengaluru: More than 450 teaching faculties working with government and aided degree colleges across the state are under the radar as they do not possess the educational qualification prescribed by the University Grants Commission for teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Following the audit objections by the Accountant General (AG), the Department of Collegiate Education has sought a list of the “underqualified” faculties from all the government and aided colleges across the state.

The primary information available from the department is that 225 teachers at the government-run colleges and 234 at aided colleges do not have the UGC-prescribed qualifications and are drawing the UGC pay scale salary. These teachers are from 74 government and 21 aided institutions. 

According to the UGC Regulations (2009), candidates must have NET/SLET or PhD eligibility to teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Audit objections were raised as some faculties have been drawing UGC pay scale salaries though they do not have the prescribed qualification. 

The officials said that they have received the list from the colleges and it is under scrutiny.

“After verification, we will send the list to the government for further action. We have been instructed by the government to submit the list,” said a senior official.

The teaching fraternity has urged the government to provide a permanent solution for the issue.

T M Manjunath, president of Karnataka State  Government College Teachers’ Association, told DH, “Any orders, related to the recruitment should not be retrospective. The government should provide a permanent solution and justice to the teachers who are living under stress every day because of the UGC regulation and recent court order.”

The state government had given exemptions for MPhil (not having PhD, SLET/NET) holders while appointing assistant professors in the past.

“It was the decision taken by the government and now, it is the responsibility of the government to protect their interest,” he said. 

Guest faculties

Meanwhile, a total of 5,500 guest faculties working at government degree colleges are also on the verge of losing their jobs as the High Court has directed the government to appoint those who have UGC-prescribed qualifications.

According to the department’s data, 5,500 guest faculty members lack UGC qualifications. However, the government has contended candidates with UGC-prescribed qualification were not available for some subjects.

Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar said that the government has filed an appeal challenging the September order of the High Court.