Even as the state education department is coming up with several new policies to raise the bar of education, nearly one in every four colleges in Pune have appointed principals on ad-hoc basis or given additional charge to them, affecting the decision making process. Worried about how this is affecting the quality of education, the joint directorate of higher education has now issued a circular asking the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and colleges concerned to either to make full-time appointments or face action. The circular, issued two days ago, says that of the 167 colleges in Pune, 41 have principals on ad-hoc or temporary basis. [related-post] The circular, issued by Vijay Narkhede, joint director of higher education in Pune, states that the issue has come up several times in the past during discussions and cites the example of a recent meeting of all vice-chancellors with the Chancellor of Universities (Governor of Maharashtra). It says several reminders were issued to the vice-chancellors, registrars and even principals. “However after repeated reminders, it has become obvious that the universities have not taken the necessary steps. From time to time, repeated reminders have been sent to fill posts of principals and professors within stipulated time at aided, unaided and permanently unaided colleges. It is the responsibility of vice-chancellors to take a review of vacant posts in colleges and take action if they are not being filled,” says the circular. Speaking to Indian Express, Narkhede said that keeping the top posts, such as that of principal, vacant for long periods is a very dangerous trend. “If the person is appointed as principal on an ad-hoc basis or given its additional responsibility, he will refrain from taking any major decision. We have seen that such appointees refuse to take tough decisions even if they see something going wrong, which affects the overall performance of the institution. If this trend continues, the dream of realising quality education will not be possible,” he said. The circular says that the absence of appointment of qualified, full-time principals also affects the allocation of funds from University Grants Commission. Addressed to the vice-chancellor of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), the circular gives colleges a deadline of 15 days to make amends. “We have asked them to send us an action taken report after which we will consider our next step,” said Narkhede.
