The New Nation - Internet Edition

TWO government intermediate colleges in Pabna town are reportedly facing shortage of teachers. At least 21 posts out of 83 are lying vacant in the Government Women's College and the Government Shahid Bulbul College since long. The two colleges have about 1,300 and 1,500 students respectively. The students and the teachers of the two institutions complained that the shortage of teachers is hampering academic activities. In fact, one of the two colleges runs with half of the teaching strength for more than a year. Neither the teachers nor the students can maintain properly their academic activities in these institutions for shortage of teachers.

In the Government Women's College, at least 12 posts out of 24 - two associate professors, six assistant professors and four lecturers - are vacant for over a year. Just one teacher is teaching in each of the departments of Bangla, economics, chemistry and mathematics. The post of librarian is vacant in the college. The situation is less acute at the Government Shahid College where nine out of 49 posts of teachers are lying vacant and eight of those are of assistant professors. The posts of sports teacher and librarian are vacant.

Sufficient classes are not being taken because of the shortage of teachers.

Students hardly can complete their lessons before examinations. Science practical classes cannot be completed again due to crisis of teachers and demonstrators. Following closure of HSC admission in the Government Edward College in 1996 following introduction of honours courses in different subjects, pressure is mounting on these two colleges. Teachers' shortage is reportedly the common feature of most government colleges because the authorities sitting in the capital remain detached from the situation faced by those at far away places. In many government colleges offering honours courses the problem is rather perennial and requires urgent solution.