Bengaluru: Students across around 430 government first-grade colleges in Karnataka are facing uncertainty as a shortage of guest faculty continues, leaving many classes yet to commence ahead of the upcoming exams. The situation has caused widespread panic among students, with academic schedules disrupted and classes incomplete in multiple colleges.
Guest faculty shortage deepens
The crisis stems from a 2018 University Grants Commission (UGC) mandate requiring guest faculty to hold NET/SET/SLET/PhD qualifications. Following this, the government removed approximately 5,000 lecturers who were previously eligible for guest faculty positions. Many of these experienced teachers challenged the decision in court. The High Court directed the Department of Collegiate Education to ensure compliance with UGC minimum qualifications, but several related cases remain sub judice, leaving the government in a quandary regarding fresh appointments.
There are roughly 11,000 lecturer posts across these colleges. Last year, 9,000 guest lecturers were appointed. This year, the maximum student strength per division was reduced to 75 instead of 100, creating more teaching posts and further straining the system.
Impact on students
The shortage has affected several courses. According to students, BA and BCom classes are partially ongoing, but BBA and BCA classes are almost entirely dependent on guest faculty and remain incomplete. A student from a Peenya college stated, “Only language teachers are taking classes for those courses. Students come to college, but many leave by lunch as there are no afternoon classes due to teacher shortage. Exams are in November, but full-fledged classes haven’t started.”
Student organisations have voiced concerns and demanded immediate intervention. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised protests at 15 colleges across the state. Kalyana Kumar, district secretary of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation, highlighted the hardship for students: “First-year students attend classes hoping for lectures, while many second- and third-year students have dropped out for short-term employment. Students from poor and middle-class families travel 12-20 km daily, only to return disappointed.” The organisation has called for a voluntary class boycott on Saturday.
Government response
On Friday, Karnataka’s Minister for Higher Education, MC Sudhakar, met with Law Minister HK Patil to discuss potential solutions. “Since some of the related cases are still sub judice, we wanted the department’s opinion on the way forward. The meeting was inconclusive, and we will meet again Saturday,” Sudhakar said. He added that the government is considering extending the academic term in colleges where syllabi remain incomplete due to the shortage.
The shortage of qualified guest faculty continues to pose a significant challenge for the state’s higher education system, raising concerns about timely exam preparation and academic progress for thousands of students.