Excellence in Diversity

Why in news?

IIT’s are facing shortage of qualified faculty members.

Why there is shortage of faculties in IIT’s?

Last year, IIT Delhi had 30% deficit in its teacher ranks & currently in India 23 such institutes faces the same issue.
The number of students rose significantly after reservation was extended to students belonging to Other Backward Classes.
But recruiting the faculties should meet quota norms as mentioned in Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019.
The act aims to fulfil the goal of affirmative action while making appointments.

What are the steps taken to address this issue?

A committee was formed by the Education Ministry to suggest effective implementation of reservation in central institutions.
It suggested that IITs should be exempted from the quota list.
Reservation should be provided to specified grades of assistant professors by taking the institution as a whole.
If suitable candidates are not available, the posts can be de-reserved in the subsequent year.

What is the way forward?

Compensatory discrimination in favour of some classes of citizens is necessary to correct historical distortions.
Massive investments should be in the education system & at all levels to raise the capability of students.
Government should sponsor a preparatory programme at the IITs for the eligible reserved candidates to get acquainted with high quality academic work.
They can optionally prepare for a PhD if they aspire to be teachers.
This will not only help to fill vacancies in the IITs but also aid the institutions to achieve research excellence.
To achieve progressive redistribution, equal opportunity & strong, liberal public school system should be provided.
This will strengthen diversity and lay the foundation for the kind of scholarship that institutions of excellence need.
An early decision must be taken by the government without sacrificing equity principles to address this issue.

Source: The Hindu