125 colleges affiliated to Pune University lack approved teachers and principals

The issue of colleges affiliated to the University of Pune (UoP) lacking approved teachers and principals was discussed at the senate meeting on Sunday. Director of Board of College and University Development (BCUD), Vasudev Gade told the senate that 125 colleges do not have approved teachers and principals.

The shocking information came to light during the question-answer hour, when senate member, Vitthalsinh Dhakare asked how many colleges do not have a single approved teacher.

Gade said, “There are at least 125 colleges where not a single teacher is approved by the UoP. Out of these 125 colleges, as many as 24 colleges are without approved principals.”

He said the remaining 77 colleges do not have approved teachers, but have obtained a stay order from the Supreme Court on any action against them by the University of Pune.

Senate member, Nandkumar Nikam, asked who checked the answer papers of the students of such errant colleges. Gade replied, “I don’t have off-hand information.”

Nikam pointed out lack of seriousness in conducting examination of first year students of these colleges, as the answer papers are checked by teachers of these errant colleges. He asked Gade why the UoP did not scrap the affiliation of such colleges to maintain the quality of education.

Senate member, Gajanan Ekbote criticised the lackadaisical approach by the university in letting the errant colleges conduct examinations.

He said the matter should be discussed by the academic council along with a resolution on taking action against such colleges.