Kerala Varsity with ultimatum; Permanent principals should be appointed within two months

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The Kerala University Syndicate has directed the managements to appoint permanent principals in aided and self-financing colleges within two months.

40 colleges have not had a permanent principal for five years. Junior teachers whom the managements prefer are given the charge of the principal. They will be given the charge of Drawing and Disbursement Officer but will work as Principal. They will not be eligible to become principals. This duty should not be done more than three times, but some continue for years.

The university said that if the permanent appointment is not made, they will take steps including withdrawing the recognition of the colleges and courses.

As per the UGC regulation 2018, to become a principal one should have a PhD, 15 years of teaching experience, an associate professor rank and 120 points research score. Direct recruitment should be done by inviting applications through newspaper advertisements and conducting interviews. The term is five years and can be extended for another five years. Government arts and science colleges have been without permanent principals for five years. The obstacle to permanent appointment is the opposition of teachers' unions. Self-financing colleges are not getting UGC qualified people. Those who were not qualified were given the charge of principal, but the university did not conduct the examination. Although teacher training colleges employ qualified candidates to obtain accreditation from the National Teacher Education Council, most drop out.