Shortage of teachers hits NEP rollout in govt, aided colleges

3,580 asst prof posts were approved in 2018 and 2,088 posts in 2021; hiring slowed down due to the pandemic

- Niraj Pandit

Government and government-aided colleges across Maharashtra are reeling under a 38% shortfall in teachers, leaving them struggling to implement the National Education Policy (NEP)

According to data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 11,918 posts of lecturers and assistant professors in 2,000 government-aided colleges were vacant as of December 31, 2024. The situation is particularly dire in aided colleges affiliated to the University of Mumbai, where there are 2,127 vacancies ~ a staggering 41%.

Colleges say the lack of permanent teachers makes it very difficult to meet the criteria set by the NEP.