Why are state owned aided colleges facing staff crunch, enrolment issue

The college education seems to be passing through a crisis in the state with the enrolment going down every year in the colleges. The education experts believe that the vacancies of teachers and absence of principals who are the administrative heads of the colleges are one of the major factor for the prevailing scenario.

Why does there seem to be a crisis in both government-owned and government-aided colleges in Haryana?

Nearly half of Haryana’s government colleges are operating without principals. RTI data shows that almost 50% of principal posts remain vacant, creating a serious administrative and academic crisis at a time when institutions are expected to implement the New Education Policy (NEP).

What is the current faculty situation in Haryana’s government colleges?

Government colleges in Haryana are facing an acute shortage of teaching staff. RTI data obtained in January this year indicated that 56% of sanctioned posts for regular teachers are vacant, forcing heavy reliance on guest and contract faculty. Out of 7,986 sanctioned teaching posts, only 3,368 regular teachers are in place. Additionally, 85 of 185 colleges (46%) are functioning without regular principals.

What about the faculty and administrative situation in government-aided colleges?

Government-aided colleges are in a similarly precarious state. Of 97 sanctioned principal posts, 56 (57%) remain unfilled. Almost half of the teaching posts are also vacant, with only 1,394 regular teachers in place against 2,831 sanctioned posts, despite the state lifting restrictions on regular appointments.

How has the shortage of principals and teachers affected student enrolment?

The vacancies appear to be impacting enrolment. Nearly 40% of seats in colleges remained unfilled this academic season. Out of 1.5 lakh seats, a large proportion went vacant, reflecting declining student confidence amid administrative and academic instability.

Which districts are worst affected by the shortage of principals and teachers?

Mahendragarh is the worst-hit district, with 14 colleges without principals and about 500 teaching posts vacant across 15 government colleges. Bhiwani and Rewari follow, with eight colleges each lacking principals. Other districts with major teaching vacancies include Hisar (279), Faridabad (242), Gurugram (228), Ambala (103), Jind (169), Rohtak (170), Sirsa (167), Sonepat (109), Fatehabad (143), Panchkula (100) and Bhiwani (214).

What concerns have teachers’ bodies raised regarding the crisis?

Teachers’ associations say that vacancies are harming students at a time when NEP implementation demands stronger academic support. Dayanand Malik of the Haryana Aided-Colleges Teachers Association said students are suffering due to slow hiring. Prof Rajesh Ranjha noted that the recruitment process has begun, adding that principal posts should be filled through direct recruitment and promotion in a fixed ratio.

How does RTI activist Subhash interpret the crisis?

Subhash believes the problem is systemic. He argues that under the guise of the New Education Policy, the government is promoting privatisation and weakening the higher education system, while contractual hiring offers only a temporary solution.