Undergraduate colleges affiliated with the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) and Mangalore University are facing a significant challenge as the new academic year begins without the necessary guest faculty. These colleges, located in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kodagu, heavily rely on guest lecturers, who make up about 60% of the teaching staff.
Last year, colleges struggled when guest faculty were appointed 45 days after classes had started, disrupting the academic schedule. This year, with the implementation of the State Education Policy, the number of guest faculty to be recruited will depend on the workload, but delays in appointments are raising concerns.
Jagadish Bala, principal of Government First Grade Women’s College, Balmatta, Mangaluru, highlighted the issue, noting that last academic year, the college operated with 18 permanent and 25 guest faculty. With the guest faculty’s 10-month term ending on August 6, the college now faces difficulty in managing classes.
Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor PL Dharma stated that interviews for guest faculty positions will begin next week at University College, Hampankatta, and Mangalagangothri in Konaje. However, DCE officials indicated that interviews might start only in another two weeks.
There is a growing hope that the state government will expedite the appointment process to prevent further disruptions to the academic calendar.
Read More: