Plea to make higher education a priority

By Punjabnewswire4u

AMRITSAR, AUG 25

 A meeting of Principals’ Association of Government-Aided Private Colleges affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University was held at Khalsa College here today in which they expressed serious concerns over the lack of financial support from the satte government. They ask the government to make the higher education top priority and release pending grants and financial assistance to the aided colleges.

 The meeting was presided over by Association’s President and Khalsa College Principal Dr Daljit Singh in which 30 Principals from Colleges of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarntarn and Nawanshahr participated. Deliberations were held on various issues concerning DPI Colleges, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and specific legal matters.

 Principals expressed resentment on the inordinate delay in the release of salary grants to the colleges, because of which the colleges are experiencing acute financial crises. Some of the colleges have not received salary grants for the last 14 months and in some colleges, Professors have not been paid salary for the last 6 to 10 months. All the Principals agreed that this attitude of the Government is hurting the prospects of higher education in the state.

 Dr. Daljit Singh threw a light on the recent judgment of Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court in which directions have been issued to the state for re- imbursement relief to the colleges under post-matric scholarship scheme. They also unanimously decided to acquaint Vice- Chancellor, GNDU Amritsar in the next meeting with him on August 27 with problems colleges experiencing. General Secretary, Principal Dr. Dharmjit Singh apprised the principals about the various activities of the Association in the academic arena, and chalked out the future strategy of the association.

 The association demanded earned leave be introduced in GNDU colleges, ban on the recruitment be revoked, Annual salary and arrears claims be sent to DPI Colleges only through registered post, College teachers having Ph.D degree and research work experience should also be allowed to act as supervisor/ guide for M. Phil and Ph.D Degrees. They also decided that a deputation of the principals would meet Education Minister, Punjab and Education Secretary, Punjab to apprise them with problems being faced by the colleges and for the redressal of the grievances.