Massive manpower crunch ails education system

It is true that a large number of vacancies exist in IITs, Universities, colleges and schools all over the country. But it is not due to dearth of suitable candidates alone, but mainly because of the delay in recruiting candidates for the vacancies on regular basis. None of the institutions take proper effort to recruitment teachers in time, i.e. before the vacancies arise due to retirement. For instance, there were 9 faculty members in the Department of Economics in the University of Madras, Chennai, in the year 2006. Since then 6 Professors have retired over the years. But the University authorities have not taken any steps to fill up the vacancies. Similar is the situation in other departments of the University. As a result, more than 50% of the sanctioned strength of teachers in the Madras University is lying vacant. There is no indication that these vacancies will be filled up in the immediate future. Similar is the situation in all other Universities in India. The situation is not different in Central Universities, IITs, and other such Institutions. If the Universities and other such institutions recruit teachers in anticipation of vacancies, the problem of shortage in manpower can be solved to a greater extent. Moreover, lack of pension benefits for the teachers in government and aided institutions is another reason for people taking teaching posts. Therefore, the government should try to reintroduce the pension   scheme for teachers in government and aided institutions. As far as schools are concerned, the state governments often deliberately keep the teaching posts vacant in order cut the expenditure so as to divert for other purposes. Recruitment of teachers are not done periodically in anticipation of the vacancies arising out of retirement as well as creation of new posts. Moreover, recruitment is not only delayed but also done on a piecemeal basis. In the case of schools  also teaching positions have become unattractive due to delay in recruitment, rampant corruption and lack of pension benefits. Above all, low salary is the most important factor for  lack of demand for teaching positions. Both the Central and State governments have to look into the above factors seriously in order to  solve the problem of manpower crunch in educational institutions. Dr.C.Murukadas, The Times of India, 03.07.2012