Bengaluru: No less than 69% of posts in Karnataka’s 32 public universities do not have permanent staffers. Worse, four newly established universities haven’t filled even one permanent teaching post yet, scoring a shocking 100% vacancy.For instance, Mandya University (all 47 posts are vacant), Maharani Cluster University (272), Nrupathunga University (100), Hassan University (27), and Chamarajanagar University (36) have zero permanent faculty on the payroll.Among non-teaching faculty, at least 12 universities have no permanent staff. Overall, 3,052 teaching posts are vacant out of 4,448 sanctioned posts. In the non-teaching staff category, 6,295 posts are vacant out of 9,107 sanctioned posts, leading to a little over 69.1% vacancy. The overall deficit is thus 9,347 posts out of 13,555 combined sanctioned positions across the state.With no permanent staffers, heavy-lifting is done by guest lecturers who are paid a pittance. Mudigere MLA (Congress) Nayana Motamma said some 5,910 guest lecturers are working in PU colleges across the state, earning Rs 466 per day. For perspective, a labourer in a coffee estate earns Rs 600-800 as wages per day. “If we don’t pay guest lecturers well, then it’s a mistake on the govt’s part.”In reply to a question by BJP MLA (Vijayapura city) Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, govt recently informed the legislative assembly that a cabinet sub-committee was constituted under the deputy chief minister to make appropriate financial recommendations. This committee, along with finance and higher education departments, held multiple reviews. “Reconstitution of this sub-committee is under consideration following the cabinet reshuffle,” it added.“It is not that govt is unaware of the situation. Both Centre and state govts are not spending enough on education and health. While education requires 4-6% of GDP, allocation is less than 3%,” said Chandrashkehar Shetty, president of Forum of Former Vice-Chancellors of Karnataka.“Govt has to make a list of the faculty by their designation – professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and start appointment on priority in a phased manner. There are some PhD holders who are teaching in affiliate colleges. We have suggested that on a part-time basis, their services could be utilised for universities without affecting their service in colleges,” he added.Forum secretary Maheshappa H said: “Without teachers, what will students learn? Universities are appointing guest lecturers. They are paid so little, where is their commitment? Govt is announcing making universities into centre of excellence without offering basic facilities.”
