Abdur Rahman Mintu, Rangpur :
The teacher crisis at Begum Rokeya University (BRU) is a major problem, which is negatively affecting the quality of education at the university and the educational life of students.
Like other public universities in the country, the number of teachers in Bru is considerably less than the number of students, making it difficult to provide necessary education and conduct research activities in various departments smoothly.
Currently, there are only 192 teachers in the university against about 8,500 students. That is, one teacher for every 44 students.
However, according to the UGC teacher-student ratio, there should be one teacher for every 20 students in every university.
According to university sources, 12 to 14 courses are taught in a one-year two-semester postgraduate program.
Accordingly, a minimum of 48 to 56 courses are being taught in a four-year eight-semester undergraduate program. Due to the lack of sufficient teachers, one teacher has to take 9 to 10 courses.
Ordinary students are facing various effects and problems of the teacher crisis. There are incidents like deterioration in education, obstacles in research development, excessive teaching and administrative work pressure of teachers, disruption of teaching in the department.
Due to the teacher shortage, students are deprived of necessary guidance and advice, which negatively affects their academic life and reduces their confidence.
Mohammad Ali, Director of the Public Relations, Information and Publication Department, said, “According to the 15-year plan of this university, there is supposed to be one teacher for every 16 students. But this university still has one teacher for about 40 students.
Which is insufficient for the university. More teachers need to be appointed on an urgent basis to improve the quality of education.”
Bru Vice Chancellor Dr. Shawkat Ali said, “The teacher shortage at the university is glaring. Meanwhile, two teachers involved in the Abu Sayeed murder have been expelled.
There is one teacher from the Mathematics Department and one from the Public Administration Department.
There is no option but to appoint teachers to run the educational programs of the 22 departments of the university.” Meanwhile, on November 13, due to a teacher shortage, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shawkat Ali was seen taking classes.
