Over 57% of teaching posts vacant in Nagpur University
| Date :02-Feb-2022 |
Staff Reporter
On one hand, a lot is being talked about implementation of New Education Policy and evolution of the higher education sector in post-pandemic era. On the other, however, at least in case of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), an example of shocking apathy has come to fore. RTMNU’s reply to an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act moved by city-based activist Abhay Kolarkar reveals that over 57 per cent of teaching posts in RTMNU departments and its conducted colleges are vacant!
Kolarkar had sought information regarding the status of teaching and non-vocational academic posts, and Group-D posts in RTMNU departments, Laxminarayan Institute of Technology (LIT), Law College, and B.Ed. College. In response to his application under RTI Act, RTMNU’s Establishment Section provided information. As per the information, of total 332 sanctioned posts of Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Professors put together, only 152 are working, and as many as 180 are vacant. Thus, a total of 54.21 per cent of posts in RTMNU departments, LIT, Law College, and B.Ed. College are lying vacant as on January 1, 2022.
If one takes the case of RTMNU departments only, 57.61 per cent of these sanctioned teaching posts are vacant. Of a total 243 sanctioned posts of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor, 103 are working and 140 are vacant. These vacancies include 33 of Professor position, 49 of Associate Professor, and 58 of Assistant Professor. Shockingly, of 42 sanctioned positions of Professor, 33 (78.57 per cent) are vacant in RTMNU departments, reveals RTMNU’s reply to RTI application by Kolarkar.
In case of LIT, the situation is a little better with 24 out of 62 sanctioned teaching positions vacant. Thus, the vacancy is 38.71 per cent of sanctioned strength.
Among the above-mentioned four establishments, Law College is the best placed one as far as vacancies of teaching positions are concerned.
Of total six sanctioned posts (one of Professor and five of Assistant Professor), only two of Assistant Professor are vacant. However, in case of B.Ed. College, 66.66 per cent of teaching positions are vacant – 14 vacancies as against 21 sanctioned positions.
Overall, of total 53 sanctioned positions of Professor in RTMNU departments, LIT, Law College, and B.Ed. College, 39 73.58 per cent) are vacant. Besides, of 89 sanctioned positions of Associate Professor, 56 (62.92 per cent) are vacant. Of total 190 positions of Assistant Professor, as many as 85 (44.73 per cent) are lying vacant. Among RTMNU departments, four out of total five teaching positions are vacant in Sanskrit, Sociology, and Philosophy departments. The other department-wise major vacancies are as follows: Linguistics – nine out of 10 sanctioned positions, Political Science – six out of eight, Public Administration – four out of six, Psychology – six out of eight, Fine Arts – three out of four, Biochemistry – seven out of nine, Botany – six out of nine, Chemistry – eight out of 13, Mathematics – six out of eight, Zoology – seven out of 10, Microbiology – five out of six, Statistics – five out of six, PG Law – seven out of 10. Apart from these, of 18 non-vocational academic posts, only eight are filled, and 10 are vacant.
According to sources familiar with the situation, these many teaching positions are vacant in RTMNU departments and conducted colleges owing to mainly two reasons. One is that the State Government did not allow filling up of vacancies in the past few years. Another is litigations. Whenever the State Government was close to filling up a position, the process came to a halt due to litigations.
Further, another official on the condition of anonymity said that statistics alone did not reflect the true picture in some cases. For instance, in case of promotion from the post of Reader to Professor, those promoted carried their substantive position. That is, the position continued to be occupied despite promotion. Also, in two cases, for one position of Dean, one post of lecturer was sacrificed in RTMNU departments.
But, said another official in the know of things but preferring to be unnamed, contractual and visiting faculties are more in number than permanent positions in RTMNU departments and conducted colleges at present.
To tide over the crisis, contractual appointments were made thinking how far would the university continue with contributory faculties. However, it was discontinued for a while.
Now, it has been resumed again but COVID-19 pandemic has had impact on the overall process.