India boasts of its demographic dividend with a large young population. But what is the real extent of the dividend? Disappointing! A large proportion of our graduates are unemployable lacking in skills because of the poor quality of education imparted by many colleges ; for them education is only a profit and loss issue.
Universities and colleges across India do not appoint the full quota of teachers. The Parliamentary Standing Committee's May report states that 38% posts in central universities are vacant, while 47 out of the 297 state universities ,which gave information , have 40% of their teaching posts vacant. Universities and colleges, instead of appointing qualified regular teachers, hire non-regular teachers designated as part-time, temporary, guest and contract teachers.
Out of the total number of 9.33 lakh college teachers in the country 40% are on contract (source:Times Of India). Most of them do not possess MPhil or PhD. The mandatory NET pass is not insisted upon. They are made to work for a pittance. Salaries range from Rs 4000 to 20, 000 per month. As many persons are available to work for low remuneration, college managements prefer them to regular teachers on UGC scales of pay. Further they need not be given leave, medical insurance or Provident fund. Temporary teachers are hired for six to eight months in an year. For instance, a college affiliated to a University named after the great social worker Mother Teresa in Tamilnadu hires most of its teachers on payment of Rs 4000 per month. It is reported that some colleges in the districts of Tamilnadu pay as low as Rs.2000 to 2500 per month.
The bane of higher education in India is the sheer indifference of regulatory authorities like the UGC and higher education directorates in ensuring high quality education through appoinment of qualified and competent teachers, besides other support systems. Who, then, are responsible for this dismal situation? The officials, who look the other way by accepting 5-star hospitality and other PERKS.
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