West Bengal colleges want academics as presidents, get BJP MPs, MLAs

Many government-run colleges in West Bengal may see major administrative changes. In 247 government-aided colleges, the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has recently appointed new presidents to the governing bodies. Most of the members elected by the West Bengal Higher Education Department are BJP Members of Parliament) (MPs) or Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), reports Pritha Roy Chowdhury of Careers360.

This has raised concerns among teachers and college authorities of West Bengal colleges. They fear that politicians may influence important college decisions and make important administrative decisions also. They may have a say in hiring teachers and other staff, maintenance or expansion of college buildings, use of funds, and overseeing staff-related issues.

Some of the newly appointed members include Swapan Dasgupta, Rashbehari MLA, as president of Asutosh College; Jagannath Sarkar, Nadia MP, at Chakdaha College; Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Purba Medinipur MP, at Mahishadal Raj College and Raju Bista, Darjeeling MP, at Bijanbari College.

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Political leaders in charge of college bodies

nder the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Act, 2017, the state government can nominate the president of a college governing body. The president will make the decisions, while the principal will act as the secretary and implement the decisions made by the body.

According to Pritha Roy Chowdhury, Teachers and former principals from colleges which are affiliated to institutions like Calcutta University, Kalyani University and the University of Burdwan said the work of the new presidents would depend on how well they understand academic and administrative matters.

The Association for Democratic Reforms has found that the new appointees belong to various backgrounds. Besides MPs and MLAs, the list also has teachers, lawyers, private tutors, business persons and people from other professions.

Some former college heads have asked whether political experience is sufficient to become the head of an academic institution. They think that governing bodies should have members who have knowledge of education, administration and university rules.

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Principals hope for smoother administration

Not all college authorities think about the appointments in a negative way. Some principals said a president with political connections could be helpful, since they can help colleges resolve administrative issues with government departments quickly, Pritha Roy Chowdhury reports.

Shayamalendu Chatterjee, the former principal of Chittaranjan College, affiliated to Calcutta University, said, “The president has immense power. He is the first signatory. In the absence of the president, a designated nominee can sign. The next important person is the secretary. The president is responsible for recruitment, infrastructure and what all needs to be bought for a college. The president takes a call.”

The appointments have been announced at a difficult time for government-aided colleges. Teacher recruitment in these colleges has been delayed and thousands of teaching posts are still vacant. College authorities hope that the new governing bodies will improve the colleges and give attention to the needs of students and teachers.