is now unable to render the desired level of education service for the prevailing sharp scarcity of teaching staff.
Established four decades ago, the public college, which is the region's one of the most prominent educational institutes, is set to lose glory for the insufficiency of teachers.
In this circumstance, students are becoming dependent on coaching and private tuition.
Sources said there are only 33 teachers employed now at the college to teach a total of 10,657 students in honours, graduation (pass) and higher secondary levels, which is causing problems in giving lessons according to the schedule.
According to the college sources, the number of teachers in the posts created 45 years ago during its nationalisation was 44. Later, more subjects were introduced. Although the number of classes has increased with the introduction of honours courses, the number of teacher posts has not been increased according to the rules.
Out of the total 44 posts of teacher sanctioned, 11 are now vacant. Existing teachers have to work hard to manage classes amid the prevailing crisis.
Teachers say that in the current situation, educational programmes are being run in a haphazard manner, due to which students are becoming inclining towards private schools.
According to the National Education Policy-2010, emphasis was laid on keeping the teacher-student ratio at 1:30 while in Ishwardi Government College, the ratio is 1: 322.94; that means only one teacher is working to teach 323 students.
Talking to the principal, teachers and students, it was known that the college was established in 1963 in Ishwardi, an important upazila town in the northern region.
The colleges was nationalised in 1986 and at that time, the graduation (pass) courses and higher secondary classes were running. Later, honours courses on 12 subjects were introduced step by step. Move to open honours courses in economics and zoology is underway.
By this time, extensive development activities have been carried out in the college.
There are five large buildings. Another six-story building with elevator facilities is under construction. Teaching is conducted in 29 rooms.
Rooms of the principal and vice-principal, teachers' room, auditorium and 12 departments are air-conditioned and modernly decorated.
Although there is a large library, there is no librarian. There are modern digital labs and four science laboratories. Two posts of science demonstrator are also vacant.
College principal Professor SM Rabiul Islam told The Financial Express, "'During nationalisation, 44 posts of teacher were created in the college. Currently, there are no teachers in 11 posts. After nationalisation, the number of students increased due to the introduction of several new subjects, including honors courses. But no new teacher posts are being created. As a result, part-time teachers are being used in some departments. Despite sending a demand letter to the ministry several times in this regard, no measure has been taken."
He also said according to the rules, there should be a total of 10 teachers for each honours subject in a government college, including one professor, two associate professors, three assistant professors and four lecturers.
Accordingly, there should be 140 teachers for total 14 honours courses alone in this college.
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