
Faculty numbers dip 2.34 lakh in 3 years
Why in the news ?
- As per the All India Survey on Higher Education report 2017-18, the total number of teachers in higher educational institutions in India has come down by about 2.34lakh in the last three years.
Details
- The report is a pointer on the dearth of teachers in Indian universities, came at such times when there has been widespread concern over the continuing vacancies in universities.
- The total number of teachers in higher educational institutions in India — inclusive of all posts from professor to temporary teacher — stood at 12.84 lakh in 201718.
- The figure for 2016-17 was 13.65 lakh and that for 2015-16 was 15.18 lakh, signalling a fall of about 2.34 lakh within three years.
- Between 2011-12 and 2015-16, the number had been rising from 12.47 lakh to 15.18 lakh.
- The reason could be that professors who are retiring are not being replaced, and fresh vacancies at all levels are not being filled up.
- Not filling the sanctioned posts in State universities is another reason.
- As per the official statement, the 2017-18 figure may have gone down because only teachers who provided their Aadhar numbers were been shown as teachers from this year onward.
Source
The Hindu.