400 Government Colleges in Karnataka Functioning without Principals

The situation of 400 out of 412 Government Degree Colleges in Karnataka is deplorable, as these colleges have been functioning without permanent principals over the past nine years. Enraged with the state government’s policy towards government degree colleges, the Karnataka Government College Teachers’ Association has called for a state-wide strike on March 11 and 12, 2018. The protest will continue further if state government and Department of Collegiate Education do not take the decision regarding recruitment of permanent principals.

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The Teacher’s Association pointed that Department of Collegiate Education is no more academic-friendly. The department lacks permanent officials such as Commissioner, Director, Additional Director and Joint Director. The long-standing demands of the teachers are still pending to be resolved. Even though the association sent representations to appoint permanent principals, none of the officials from the Department of Collegiate Education has responded.

President of Government College Teachers’ Education indicated that the temporary principals are unable to take a concrete decision, which is affecting the functioning of the college. Since 2009, the state government has not taken steps to recruit the principals.

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In Bangalore, out of 17 colleges, only five colleges have permanent principals, while the situation in other districts across Karnataka is worse. For instance, over 70-80 colleges do not have permanent principals. The current scenario is affecting the quality of education. If the government wants to attract more students join government degree colleges, it has to take the process of recruiting permanent principals seriously and resolve the demands of teachers. Primarily, the government will have to appoint permanent officials in Department of Collegiate Education.