One principal for 10 colleges in 5 districts

Archit Watts

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Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 12

It sounds strange, but it is true. There is just one principal for 10 government colleges. In addition, he is incharge of two district libraries in the Malwa region.

In such circumstances, Prof Surjit Singh has to travel to five districts — Bathinda, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga and Ferozepur — to discharge his official duties.

He holds the main charge of Government College, Bathinda. However, due to an acute shortage of the staff, he has been given the additional charge of government degree colleges at Muktsar, Husnar, Danewala, Sardargarh, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Rode and Fatehgarh Korotana. Besides, he is the principal of Goverment College of Education, Faridkot. Prof Surjit Singh, also holds the charge of two district libraries at Bathinda and Ferozepur.

A resident of Bhucho, Prof Surjit Singh, said, “I visited three colleges today. I am the lone principal in the state, who has been given such a responsibility. Despite my hectic schedule, I am happy in discharging my duties. I feel honoured by it. The situation has occurred as the senior-most teachers are retiring.”

Meanwhile, a senior officer in the Higher Education Department said employees were being recruited and the promotion panelhad cleared 15 more names for the posts of principal, but the process had been challenged.

Repeated attempts to contact Education Minister Pargat Singh and DPI (Colleges) Upkar Singh remained futile.