SCD Government College sans regular principal for 6 months

One of the leading colleges in Punjab which has produced several renowned personalities, the Satish Chander Dhawan Government College for Boys here has been managing its affairs without a permanent principal.

Advertisement

It was on August 31, 2024, when the last principal of the college retired. It seems the AAP government has not found any appropriate contender for the post since then. Despite sincere efforts made by the Alumni Association members, the ruling government has failed to appoint any principal.

The Alumni Association members, sore over this lackadaisical approach of the government, have even filed an RTI with the Higher Education Department, asking how many such renowned colleges in Punjab are managing affairs without permanent principals, but till now, have not received any reply.

“This is a prestigious college which has produced eminent personalities such as leading space scientist Satish Dhawan, eminent poet and intelligence officer KK Daruwala, CBI ex-Chief Joginder Singh, ex-Chief Election Commissioner MS Gill etc but is presently being run with an officiating Principal Dr Suman Lata, Principal of Government College for Women, here. We have no issues with the officiating principal as she comes here for a few hours to manage everything but a college needs a permanent leader,” said Brij Bhushan Goyal, an Alumni Association member.

The college also has a residential building for the principal as they are required 24x7 to look after the affairs of the college, classes, students, hostels etc. But since there is no Principal, the working of the institution is suffering.

“We cannot reach the principal immediately in case we have issues regarding the students or classes or the timetable etc. It is not that the officiating principal is not capable of anything, but all powers are not delegated to them,” said a teacher wishing not to be quoted.

Jaipal Singh, retired professor, said the government wants to provide its best to uplift education in Punjab, but the reality is different. “How can you run a prestigious institution without a principal for over six months,” he asked.