Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 12: Taking advantage of the fact that the COVID situation in the state has been improving, the state government has planned to start classes in the classrooms from November 17 onward.

Preparations are on to see that the students maintain physical distance, and lectures attend classes with all necessary safety precautions. In the meantime, most of the government colleges lack enough lecturers. The government has not addressed this shortage in advance, and this might prove to be a major problem. From March last, salary has not been paid to about 14,500 guest lecturers. Over a thousand permanent lecturers have not been appointed by the government to 428 government colleges in the state. Most of these lectures belong to language and commerce departments.

Karnataka Government College Teachers Union general secretary B Narayan says that as compared to permanent lecturers, the ratio of guest lecturers is 1:2. At present, about 7,000 confirmed lecturers are serving. In government colleges located in urban and semi-urban centres, most of the teaching is done by guest lecturers. There is no information on whether they will turn up for work as their salary was not paid for eight months.

Many who used to work as lecturers have bagged other jobs as they were not paid salaries. Some of them are selling vegetables, said a lady lecturer working for a government college here. This lady and many others who have been working as guest lectures for many years are waiting for improved pay and stability of employment.

Only five more days are left for the colleges to open. In order to follow COVID standard operating procedure, classes may have to be conducted on a shift basis in several cases. When there is a shortage of lecturers, how can these classes be held? There is no clarification on these points from the department of higher education. It is said that the department of collegiate education is awaiting clearance from the finance department for the appointment of lecturers.

Commissioner in the department of collegiate and technical education Pradeep P said that special appointment rules have been finalised and the same is on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is learnt that the department has sought special permission from the finance department and is now awaiting its response.