Resume classroom lectures in colleges, directs Governor

Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of public universities across the state, on Friday, unanimously demanded permission from the Governor of Maharashtra to start classroom teaching in colleges and universities immediately. In a video conference meeting, they said that if given permission, they are willing to start colleges from February 1, 2021.

The governor has asked the Department of Higher and Technical Education to grant permission to universities to fill up all vacant statutory positions in universities, such as registrar, deans of faculty and director as early as possible. The governor said, "Absence of officials on these crucial statutory positions is affecting the administrative functioning of universities." Currently, around 50 per cent teaching posts in colleges are lying vacant. In addition, the governor stated that decisions on opening hostels for students should be taken early. He added that it is ironic that, while classes from Standard 5 are being reopened, universities and colleges are not starting classroom teaching.