NEW DELHI: Vacancies of teachers in higher educational institutions has become a "serious problem" and around 20 percent posts in central universities are yet to be filled, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.
Javadekar said in Lok Sabha that students were not keen to take up teaching jobs, resulting in shortage of faculty members in higher education institutions.
"Vacancies in higher education institutions is a serious problem. Around 20 per cent posts in central universities are currently vacant," he said during Question Hour.
There are 41 central universities under the purview of the HRD Ministry.
"Filling up of vacancies in central universities is an ongoing and continuous process... The onus of filling up of posts lies in the central universities which are autonomous bodies created under the respective Acts of the Parliament," he said.
In order to meet the situation arising out of shortage of teachers in universities and the consequent vacant positions, the age of superannuation for teachers in central educational institutions has already been enhanced to 65 years, Javadekar said.
"Teachers can also be re-employed on contract appointment beyond the age of 65 years and upto 70 years, subject to availability of vacant positions and fitness," he said.