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The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Concern over lack of language majors in new government arts and science colleges
Faculty associations have raised concerns over the absence of majors in Tamil and English at the newly launched government arts and sciences colleges in the State. Based on representations from the public, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday ordered the establishment of State-run arts and science colleges in four more districts, in addition to the recently inaugurated colleges at 11 locations. 'The opening of new colleges, especially in remote villages, is to be appreciated, as it will enable students from economically weaker sections and rural areas to pursue higher education. However, it is surprising that there is no provision for teaching Tamil or English as major subjects. Proficiency in these languages is essential for competitive civil services exams and job-oriented courses,' V. Thangaraj, president, Tamil Nadu All Government UGC-qualified Guest Lecturers Association, told The Hindu. At present, the syllabi of the 11 colleges established in Cheyyur, Chengalpattu district, Alandur (Chennai), Panruti (Cuddalore), Natham (Dindigul), Kolakkanatham (Perambalur), Manamadurai (Sivaganga), Thiruvidaimaruthur (Thanjavur), Coonoor (Nilgiris), Ottapidaram (Thoothukudi), Muthupettai (Tiruvarur) and Vikravandi (Villupuram) each offer five courses. The subjects covered include Political Science, History, Commerce, Computer Science, Zoology, and Business Management, among others. The courses will be taught through English and Tamil medium of instruction. 'Instead of deputing current faculty to the new institutions, we hope the authorities will create permanent postings in them. We already have over 4,000 regular vacancies in the existing government colleges, that have to be filled up,' said P. David Livingstone, State president of Tamil Nadu Government Collegiate Teachers' Association. Sources at the Government Arts and Science College, Kolakkanatham, which was inaugurated on May 26, said that courses could be expanded in future based on students' requirements. 'B.A. Tamil is preferred by differently abled and rural candidates, as it helps them to prepare for government and teaching jobs. We also need courses in Geology and Geography, as many businesses based in these sectors operate in Kolakkanatham, and students may benefit from getting in-depth exposure to these subjects,' said a college faculty member.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Given invigilator assignment in May without salary, say guest lecturers
The assignment of exam invigilator duty to guest lecturers in May when they do not get any salary has raised concern among educators. Guest lecturers said the exam cells of some government colleges were pressuring them to do invigilator duty. 'I was assigned four days of exam duty in April, of which I have completed three, and deputed the last one to another guest lecturer staying closer to the campus. We are paid ₹150 per exam day, but I have to spend at least ₹110 on the commute to the college in Aravakurichi from my home in Paramathi Velur. The college exam cell staff have said that any person I depute would be taken on for additional duties and I would still have to carry out the invigilation duty myself,' a Tamil guest lecturer, requesting anonymity, told The Hindu. A guest lecturer working in a government college in Lalgudi said he had been assigned five days of exam duty, and would have to attend despite the paltry pay. 'Private colleges in Tiruchi offer invigilators ₹250 per exam. There are at least 200 guest lecturers in Tiruchi district's government colleges who face this precarious situation every year,' he said. Some colleges were enlisting the services of guest lecturers to help out with the admissions process in May, added the lecturer. 'Besides taking care of administrative work, we are expected to canvass for new students. This is unfair because the same job could be done by regular staff, who are paid their full emoluments,' he said. Guest lecturers receive a monthly salary of ₹25,000 for 11 months. The pay cheque for the exam invigilation is issued several months after May. In an official release, V. Thangaraj, president, All Government UGC Qualified Guest Lecturers Association, said: 'Exams are conducted in at least 75% of the government colleges in Tamil Nadu every year. However, it is regrettable that guest lecturers, who receive salary only for 11 months, are forced to work as invigilators in May every year by the Directorate of Collegiate Education, even though they are not paid a regular salary. We urge the authorities to rectify this situation.'
