A total of 435 posts of teachers remain vacant for long days at Rajshahi University (RU) which hampers academic activities and research to go forward in the competitive world.

Students alleged that due to a lack of enough teachers, their classes are not being held properly. As a result, they cannot complete course examinations in time and the results of the exams also take extra time triggering a session jam. They want teachers in proportion with the students within a short time.

At present, a total of 38,300 students are studying at Rajshahi University. A total of 435 posts of teachers remain vacant out of a total of 1,490 posts. That means the university provides one teacher against 37 students on average. 

According to the annual report of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Rajshahi University lags in the average proportion of teachers against students among the four autonomous universities. The main reason for the teachers’ shortage at RU is the stay order from the education ministry to recruit teachers. The stay order came due to the various allegations brought against the former vice-chancellor professor Abdus Sobhan in 2020. 

Contacted, RU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Sultan-Ul-Islam said the university authority has fulfilled all conditions by the education ministry to recruit teachers and manpower.

The university will cope with the manpower shortage within a short time, he hoped.  

@ The article was published in print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 14, 2022, and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.