Get teachers first, IITs tell Centre

NEW DELHI: Contrary to the government's plans to increase the number of students in the IITs, the premier institutes want to address the problem of teachers first.

In a meeting held in New Delhi, the directors of the seven IITs have decided to adopt a wait-and-watch policy on the number of students. But they would pressurise the government to have a comprehensive package to attract and retain teachers in IITs.

The government wants to increase quotas for OBCs in IITs.The seven IITs are facing a shortage of roughly 751 teachers in a current requirement of 4500. 

Despite several advertisements for faculty positions, the IITs have not been getting the desired response, forcing them to outsource teaching.

The IITs are at present managing the shortage through visiting faculty from India and abroad while experts from private sector are also being roped in occasionally.

A senior official in IIT Delhi said the IITs are not ready for a huge intake of students even though the directors have discussed expansion plans and starting new research and innovative courses.