Librarians, physical trainers may soon become principals

The state government will allow librarians or physical trainers with PhDs to become principals.

Colleges have just about a month to fill the vacant posts of principals according to a Supreme Court deadline. Since the salary of a principal is less than that of a professor as prescribed by the Sixth Pay Commission, college managements are finding it
even more difficult to get the right candidate.

The Supreme Court has already given two extensions; the third deadline expires on December 31. Almost 400 out of the 630 colleges affiliated to Mumbai University do not have principals officially — there are only acting principals. The story is same in other parts of the state. Colleges are finding it difficult to get candidates according to UGC guidelines that make qualifying NET/SLET and having a PhD mandatory for a candidate for the principal’s post.

“The state is relaxing several norms so that many candidates can qualify for the principal’s post,” Mahesh Phatak, secretary of higher and technical education, said. “We are now allowing physical trainers and librarians with doctorate degrees to become principals. According to rules, a principal has to take at least six lectures a week in colleges. Since a librarian and a physical trainer cannot take lectures in arts, science, and commerce subjects, we are allowing them to teach softer subjects like personality development, life skills, communication, and languages.”

The state is also allowing a doctorate in science to be the principal in an arts college. It is allowing principals in government colleges to take up jobs in private colleges and vice-versa. In a move to allow qualified candidates to continue in their jobs, the state wants to extend the retirement age of principals from 60 to 65 years. A government resolution will soon be issued.

To add to the colleges’ woes, the salary prescribed for the principal by the Sixth Pay Commission is much lesser than that of a professor. According to the new guidelines, a principal’s basic salary is around Rs37,500, while that of a professor is Rs43,000.

Also, principals lose out on retirement benefits.

“Why would anybody with the right qualification opt for a principal’s job?” asked a principal. “They would rather remain a professor.” The state has already made a representation to the Centre asking them to reconsider the salary of principals.