BHUBANESWAR: In a stark admission of dismal state of affairs in the higher education sector, Minister of State for Higher Education Pradip Kumar Panigrahi on Friday admitted in the Assembly that more than 30 per cent posts of lecturer are vacant in Government degree and junior colleges.
The issue cropped up during discussion on the admissibility of an adjournment motion with the members alleging that the State Government neither has the will nor the resources to bring reforms in higher education which is a key parameter of development.
While 309 lecturer posts are vacant in degree colleges out of a sanctioned strength of 1,818, in junior colleges 491 posts have been filled up out of 1,023 posts. The Minister said about 2,000 posts are vacant in unaided private colleges. He, however, said all posts have been filled up in aided private colleges of the State.
Stating that steps have been initiated by the Government to fill up vacant posts, the Minister said 453 junior lecturers have been promoted and posted in degree colleges. Besides, 185 and 142 lecturers have been appointed on ad hoc in degree and junior colleges respectively.
He said recruitment process has been started by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). The State Government has decided to fill up vacancies by engaging lecturers on contract basis till OPSC completes the recruitment process, he said.
Stating that the State Government is trying to reach zero vacancy level in private as well as Government colleges, the Minister said the Staff Selection Board (SSB) has been revived for recruitment to aided colleges.
Deputy Leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Chiranjib Biswal and Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati criticised the State Government for not initiating any steps to fill up vacancies in colleges. They demanded that the system of appointing contract lecturers should be abolished.