Expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has strongly criticized the DMK government for its failure to fill vacant posts in government arts and science colleges, asserting that this neglect has led to a noticeable decline in student enrolment.Panneerselvam highlighted that only 5,000 professors are currently employed in government colleges, a stark contrast to the sanctioned strength of 14,000. He further pointed out that approximately 8,000 guest lecturers have been working for over 25 years, receiving a consolidated monthly salary of merely Rs 25,000. These dedicated lecturers, he stated, have neither been made permanent staff nor compensated according to University Grants Commission (UGC) recommendations, leaving them in a state of despair.
He also lambasted the government for its inability to recruit assistant professors through the Teachers Recruitment Board, claiming that confusion surrounding the recruitment process has created uncertainty among aspirants and stalled the entire hiring process.
Panneerselvam concluded by stating that this ongoing neglect is directly impacting the quality of education offered in government colleges and is a significant factor contributing to the observed drop in enrolment rates. He urged the State government to address these pressing issues without any further delay to safeguard the future of higher education in Tamil Nadu.