PUC classes begin amid shortages and dissatisfaction

Mangaluru: Classes for the new academic year began in Pre-University (PU) colleges on Monday amid several challenges, including shortage of lecturers, staff vacancies and issues faced by guest lecturers.

According to available data, Karnataka has 1,340 government PU colleges with 12,903 sanctioned posts, of which 5,269 remain vacant. There are also 829 aided colleges where 10,029 posts have been sanctioned, but only 3,976 staff members are currently working.

Lecturers have raised concerns that assigning government PU college lecturers to other colleges for three days a week is affecting both teachers and the quality of education.

Guest lecturers raise concerns

Problems faced by guest lecturers have also increased this year. Guest lecturers fear losing their jobs as permanent lecturers are being deputed to other colleges. They also alleged that they are not receiving even minimum wages.

In Dakshina Kannada district, guest lecturers reportedly faced salary cuts for March. Instead of the monthly payment of Rs 14,000, only Rs 11,865 was released.

Welcome programmes held

Colleges organised inauguration and welcome programmes for students on the opening day of the academic year. Members of school development committees were invited as guests for the events.

Hostel shortage affects attendance

Some hostels are scheduled to reopen only from June 1, due to which students from distant places remained absent from city colleges on Monday. Students informed principals that they would attend classes after hostels reopen.

Several hostels are also facing shortage of seats, forcing students to look for paying guest accommodation.

Some private colleges to begin from June 1

While a few private PU colleges in the city started classes on Monday itself, several others are scheduled to begin classes from June 1.

Lecturers unhappy over early reopening

Lecturers expressed dissatisfaction over the early reopening of colleges this year. PU college classes were usually beginning on June 1 in previous years, but this time they started on May 25. Lecturers also pointed out that the Dasara vacation has been reduced from 15 days to 10 days this year.

Department assures action

Rajeshwari, Deputy Director of the PU Education Department in Dakshina Kannada district, said classes for the new academic year have started across the district. She stated that steps are being taken to appoint guest lecturers to address the shortage of teaching staff.

She also said that other demands raised by lecturers would be brought to the notice of the department and action would be taken regarding pending salary payments to guest lecturers.