Janandolana Mahamaitri, Mysuru, has expressed serious concern over the condition of public universities in the State, saying their survival is at stake due to multiple factors, and demanded urgent steps to strengthen teaching facilities.
The organisation urged the State government to prioritise the appointment of permanent faculty members, pointing out that vacancies are steadily increasing, instead of utilising funds for bodies such as the Higher Education Council, which it alleged are being used to provide positions to former Vice-Chancellors.
Finally, a State Education Policy for Karnataka, but yet to be implemented
In a press release here, Mahamaitri also called for the establishment of a new Higher Education Commission to safeguard the future of universities. The proposed commission, it said, should function under the leadership of education experts, with support from efficient officers of the Finance and Higher Education Departments. It further demanded that all financial matters of universities be disclosed transparently on the commission’s website.
Seeking a detailed inquiry into the affairs of the University of Mysore, the organisation said steps must be taken to protect the sanctity of the institution built by eminent personalities such as Kuvempu. It also demanded the constitution of a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to probe the issues plaguing the university and examine the complaints, and submit a report to the Chief Minister.
