2 Trichy govt colleges await full-time principals, Education News, ET Education
With admissions set to begin in June, a couple of govt arts and science colleges in Trichy are in an unenviable situation, of being managed by incharge principals. For nearly a year now, Thiruverumbur govt arts college and Thanthai Periyar govt arts college were being helmed by senior faculty members deputed by the higher education department. While academicians argue that temporary heads are often reluctant to take significant decisions, a senior official of the regional joint directorate of collegiate education denied they have limited powers. Tamil Nadu govt college teachers association (TNGCTA) state president P David Livingstone said it is crucial to have full-time principals since they wield greater authority compared to in-charge appointees who often need to seek approval from higher authorities even for ‘trivial matters’. Both Thiruverumbur college, with a student strength of 3,000, and Thanthai Periyar college with 5,000 students, are Grade I colleges. The former has 16 departments offering undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programmes, along with a PG department. Thanthai Periyar govt arts & science college has 19 departments, of which 17 offer both UG and PG programmes, while the remaining two are exclusively PG departments. “As the senior-most faculty member is made the in-charge principal, they miss out on the opportunity to ever be appointed as full-time principals, since many are in the final phase of their careers,” said a professor of Thiruverumbur College. The college has been without a full-time principal since May last year, following the retirement of its previous head. “When a senior faculty member is deputed as an in-charge principal in the same institution, the appointment of a new full-time principal would result in their demotion,” said a professor of EVR College.
Association members argue that appointing full-time principals help the state govt save a significant amount of money. “In-charge principals are paid an additional 20% of their current gross salary or 50% of the principal’s pay,” said David Livingstone. A senior official of the regional joint directorate of collegiate education said they have been actively working to ensure that full-time principals are appointed across all institutions. “Earlier, three of the six colleges didn’t have permanent heads. Efforts are ongoing, in coordination with the higher education department, to fill the remaining vacancies as well,” the official told TOI.
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