In the process of reforming the recruitment of teachers in universities

V. Balakist Reddy Photo credit: HANDOUT_E_MAIL

The Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) plans to introduce several reforms in higher education with a focus on teacher recruitment, says chairman V. Balakista Reddy, who considers teachers the pillar of quality education. In an interview with HinduHe outlined a plan to strengthen the recruitment process to increase teaching standards.

Q. Can you explain how you plan to shape the Teacher Recruitment Board and how you plan to enhance the recruitment process in universities and colleges?

A. I plan to propose setting up a Teacher Recruitment Board to oversee teacher recruitment and CAS promotions in universities and colleges. The board will also conduct a test to recruit contract teachers, ensuring that universities and colleges follow proper procedures instead of making appointments without accountability. This board will help us to remove any irregularities in the recruitment process.

Q. How to reduce transparency and irregularity in teacher recruitment process?

A. Some irregularities are said to have taken place regarding the recruitment of teachers in some universities including CAS promotions. The UGC rules are broad in nature, leaving a gap that needs to be filled with transparent procedures. In view of these vacancies, the Council will develop a comprehensive recruitment process, covering everything from the identification of vacancies to the sending of appointment letters and the conduct of CAS promotions. These procedures will help eliminate irregularities in recruitment in universities.

Q. Are there any plans to streamline the teaching position in universities and increase course viability?

A. Some universities are functioning due to insufficient student enrollment in certain courses, and shortage of teachers in many departments, and without regular teachers in self-financed courses. We plan to develop guidelines for streamlining teaching posts based on a standardized teacher-student ratio applicable to all universities. This approach will help universities to accurately assess the need for teachers and transfer excess vacancies to departments and facilitate the self-financing courses they require.

We will also study the viability of the courses and their employment opportunities. We want to review the continuity of courses with only single-digit students and excessive numbers of teachers for such programs. We will also consider the possibility of hiring teachers for non-demand courses on a five-year contract, which will include all service benefits such as salary, allowances, and increments.

Depending on their performance and the number of enrollments in their courses, these contracts can be renewed for an additional five years. This strategy is intended to prevent teachers from sitting idle for extended periods in non-demand courses.