An acute shortage of teachers in colleges in Haryana continues to affect the study as well as administrative functioning of the educational institutions requiring the state government to fill the posts with an immediate effect. According to the departmental data, about 60% of the sanctioned posts of college teachers in Haryana are vacant, which is a matter of serious concern. According to the information received, it is expected that these posts will be filled soon.Recruitment of teachers on a large scale is also pending with the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC).
The department has recommended the HPSC to fill posts but the scenario remains unchanged. It is worth stating that on the basis of assessment of workload for the upcoming academic session 2023-2024, the department will send a new demand for all the approved vacant posts of Assistant Professor in various subjects to HPSC.
Keeping in view the gravity of the matter, the Punjab and Haryana High Court took a tough stance last month on so many posts being vacant for a long time stating that this is a very serious matter and should be sorted out without further delay. In such a situation, on the next hearing, the Chief Secretary should file an affidavit and give detailed information about the steps taken and the plan to fill these posts. Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) Haryana has demanded to fill1535 posts of Assistant Professors in various subjects in the letter dated September 2, 2022 which was further sent to HPSC for recruitment but the recruitment has been put on hold by HPSC. It is expected that this recruitment will be completed before the upcoming elections.The High Court has also been reprimanded regarding the vacant posts. The court has also ordered the government to clarify what arrangements the government is making to fill the vacant posts. Expressing concern, the court said that merit becomes unimportant in contract appointments and in such a situation regular appointments are necessary.
However, the state government is planning to fill these posts after considering the workload of these institutions based on the current academic session.
Dr Sudeep who holds the portfolio of General Secretary, College Teachers Association said College Teachers Association has been struggling for the last several years to accommodate the staff of aided colleges in government colleges. About 60% posts are lying vacant in government colleges of the state. Taking over the added college staff will also solve the staff problems, bring financial benefits and also overcome the shortage of staff in government colleges. It is worth noting that there are 182 colleges in Haryana including both undergraduate and postgraduate colleges. Of the above, 180 are degree colleges while 2 are B.Ed colleges. Out of the total colleges, 82 are PG colleges and 63 are women’s colleges. There are 119 colleges with joint education (co-education) for men and women. Total vacant posts are vacant in different capacities in these colleges. There are a total of 105 government colleges in Haryana. It is pertinent to mention that the total number of sanctioned posts in colleges of Haryana is 8137. Of these, only 3399 matches are filled while the remaining posts are lying vacant. Thus, work is somehow being managed by appointing teachers on contract and 2194 teachers are serving on contractual basis in the colleges of the state. Teachers Association has also been continuously raising the demand for regular recruitment mentioning that staff crunch if affecting the study and other administrative work as well..
Officials of the Education Department said that due to non-recruitment of teachers, there is a constant shortage of staff, while on the other hand, teachers are also retiring on a large scale every year. Of the teachers recruited in the 1997-98 batch, 50% have even retired. Apart from this, an estimated 50 to 60 teachers are retiring every year which causes shortage of staff too. Notably, the issue of adjustment of teachers and non-teaching staff of aided colleges in government colleges is also pending for a long time. Teachers Association continues to raise its demand stating that timely disbursement of salaries should be ensured in aided colleges. Along with this, benefits like medical, retirement gratuity, LTC, no change in service and leave rules, CCL are also not available to the staff working in these colleges.