47% Himachal government colleges without principals

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 18

At least 66 of 138 (over 47 per cent) government colleges in Himachal Pradesh have no regular principals. Reason: The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) has failed to hold a single meeting in the past few years even as many eligible teachers have superannuated without getting promoted.

Besides having a bearing on the quality of education, the vacancies are creating a hurdle in getting accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which is mandatory for colleges established six or more years ago.

The NAAC accreditation is compulsory for colleges for getting grants under the UGC and Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan as adequate infrastructure and staff are required for the purpose. There are only a handful of Grade A government colleges in the state. Most of these institutions have either not applied for the accreditation or do not fulfil the requirement. “While 66 government colleges are without regular principals, 19 have officiating heads. The remaining 53 institutions have regular principals,” said Dr RL Sharma, general secretary, HP Government College Teachers’ Association (HGCTA).

As per the data provided by the HGCTA, 12 (out of 28) posts are vacant in Kangra district, 14 (20) in Shimla, nine (18) in Mandi, seven (12) in Solan, nine (14) in Sirmaur, three (seven) in Kullu, five (10) in Chamba, one (four) in Bilaspur, four (10) in Una, one (two) in Lahaul and Spiti and one (one) post is vacant in Kinnaur. All six posts of principal are filled in Hamirpur district.

Teachers alleged the government had failed to heed to their demand for promoting the eligible principals and creating new posts of professors as per the UGC norms.

When contacted, Amarjeet Sharma, Director, Higher Education, said the posts of principal had not been filled as the matter was sub judice and two cases were pending in the court.

Can’t get NAAC accreditation

• Of 138 govt colleges in Himachal, 66 don’t have regular principals
• Such colleges can’t apply for mandatory accreditation from NAAC
• The accreditation is compulsory for colleges for getting grants under the UGC