Why is the Recruitment of Assistant Professors Delayed in TN Colleges?
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Synopsis
Chennai is facing a critical shortage of Assistant Professors in government colleges due to recruitment delays. With nearly 8,000 guest lecturers filling the gap, experts warn this reliance on temporary staff could impact educational quality. Urgent action is needed to regularize existing lecturers and fill sanctioned positions.
Key Takeaways
- Recruitment delays have lasted over seven years.
- Approximately 8,000 guest lecturers are currently employed.
- Legal issues have hindered new appointments.
- Pay disparity exists compared to other states.
- Urgent action is needed to improve educational quality.
Chennai, Sep 18 (NationPress) The hiring process for Assistant Professors in government Arts and Science colleges throughout Tamil Nadu has been on hold for over seven years, resulting in a gap of almost 4,000 sanctioned positions.
This ongoing delay, attributed to various legal complications, has compelled the Higher Education Department to depend significantly on guest lecturers to satisfy classroom needs.
Currently, nearly 8,000 guest lecturers are engaged in 171 government Arts, Science, and Education colleges.
Their numbers have consistently increased as the state has been unable to fill permanent teaching roles.
The recent approval of 15 new government Arts and Science colleges has heightened demand, necessitating the recruitment of more than 570 new guest lecturers, with over 560 already on duty.
This situation stems from a 2010 commitment by the Higher Education Department to regularize the services of existing honorary lecturers, a promise that has yet to be fulfilled.
Despite the department completing all necessary procedures for new appointments, including the State Eligibility Test, the results remain pending in the courts, hindering recruitment.
Another significant issue is the pay disparity. Guest lecturers in Tamil Nadu receive the lowest pay in the country, significantly lower than the remuneration provided in neighboring and northern states.
States like Kerala, Puducherry, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi offer salaries ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹57,700 per month in accordance with University Grants Commission standards, while Tamil Nadu's lecturers are left with considerably less.
The ongoing uncertainty has led over 500 lecturers to file approximately 54 cases in the Madras High Court and its Madurai Bench seeking regularization.
Although several favorable judgments have been issued, the state continues to appeal, leaving the issue unresolved.
Education experts warn that an over-reliance on temporary staff could eventually compromise the quality of teaching and research in higher education institutions.
They emphasize the urgent need for recruitment to fill the sanctioned Assistant Professor positions, the regularization of qualified lecturers already employed, and long-term strategies to avert similar disputes in the future.
Point of View
It's crucial to address the ongoing recruitment crisis in Tamil Nadu's higher education system. The reliance on guest lecturers highlights systemic issues that need urgent attention. Regularization of qualified staff and prompt recruitment can not only improve educational standards but also restore trust in the state's commitment to quality education.
NationPress
20/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the recruitment delays in Tamil Nadu?
The recruitment delays in Tamil Nadu are primarily due to legal hurdles that have stalled the hiring process for over seven years.
How many guest lecturers are currently employed in Tamil Nadu?
Currently, nearly 8,000 guest lecturers are working in 171 government Arts, Science, and Education colleges across Tamil Nadu.
What are the salary differences for guest lecturers in Tamil Nadu compared to other states?
Guest lecturers in Tamil Nadu earn significantly less than their counterparts in states like Kerala and Delhi, where salaries range from ₹40,000 to ₹57,700.
Why is the regularization of lecturers important?
Regularization of lecturers is crucial to ensure job security and improve the quality of education by providing consistent and qualified teaching staff.
What steps are being taken to address this issue?
Education experts are advocating for immediate recruitment and regularization of existing honorary lecturers to fill the gaps and enhance educational standards.
