RU management studies dept faces problems due to teacher crisis

Owing to shortage of teachers in the management studies department of Rajshahi University (RU), academic activities are being severely hampered. Some teachers of 31 departments, including the management department, and teachers of two institutes have gone abroad for research and higher studies.

Teachers can extend their leave by more than two years. But they will not get any salary or allowances for this additional period as per rules. This is called "study leave".
Many of them have not returned to the campus, though their leave is over. As a result, teaching is affected. Moreover, the university has to provide them with salary and other benefits. Classes of different courses in each academic year are not held regularly. A teacher has to take several classes on different subjects, claimed general students.
Sources in the registrar's office said there are 1,200 teachers in 50 departments and five institutes of the university. At least 126 of them are on study leave inside and outside the country. After going on study leave, 63 teachers of RU have not yet returned to the campus. Students suffer as teachers are unable to complete the syllabus in time.
There has been no recruitment of teachers since March 2010, and many have retired during this period.
An administrative source said teachers get three types of leave. First, leave with full pay for five years to go aboard for the government or educational purposes (PhD/post-doctoral degree). They enjoy all financial benefits during the period.
Departmental sources said about 10 permanent teaching posts out of a total of 27 remain vacant, much to the detriment of about 600 students.
Taking classes and holding exams of students of six batches, from the first year to master's, have become tough for the existing 17 teachers of the department.
Another source said the crisis deepened after four teachers, including three powerful pro-Awami teachers, opposed the decision at a meeting of the departmental planning committee on January 22, 2014. Besides, some teachers of the department are busy in different administrative posts of the university.
Prof. Zinnat Ara Begum, head of the management studies department, said: "We are waiting for action from the university authorities on the issue."

RU management studies dept faces problems due to teacher crisis

Owing to shortage of teachers in the management studies department of Rajshahi University (RU), academic activities are being severely hampered. Some teachers of 31 departments, including the management department, and teachers of two institutes have gone abroad for research and higher studies. Teachers can extend their leave by more than two years. But they will not get any salary or allowances for this additional period as per rules. This is called study leave. Many of them have not returned to the campus, though their leave is over. As a result, teaching is affected. Moreover, the university has to provide them with salary and other benefits. Classes of different courses in each academic year are not held regularly. A teacher has to take several classes on different subjects, claimed general students. Sources in the registrars office said there are 1,200 teachers in 50 departments and five institutes of the university. At least 126 of them are on study leave inside and outside the country. After going on study leave, 63 teachers of RU have not yet returned to the campus. Students suffer as teachers are unable to complete the syllabus in time. There has been no recruitment of teachers since March 2010, and many have retired during this period. An administrative source said teachers get three types of leave. First, leave with full pay for five years to go aboard for the government or educational purposes (PhD/post-doctoral degree). They enjoy all financial benefits during the period. Departmental sources said about 10 permanent teaching posts out of a total of 27 remain vacant, much to the detriment of about 600 students. Taking classes and holding exams of students of six batches, from the first year to masters, have become tough for the existing 17 teachers of the department. Another source said the crisis deepened after four teachers, including three powerful pro-Awami teachers, opposed the decision at a meeting of the departmental planning committee on January 22, 2014. Besides, some teachers of the department are busy in different administrative posts of the university. Prof. Zinnat Ara Begum, head of the management studies department, said: We are waiting for action from the university authorities on the issue.