“A nation that does not respect the labor of its scholars and researchers is destined to lag behind.”
The plight of highly qualified PhD and NET scholars in Jammu and Kashmir has once again come to the forefront as the Higher Education Department continues to delay the engagement of lecturers on academic arrangement. Despite the ever-growing demand for teaching faculty in government degree colleges, the prolonged indecision and bureaucratic red-tape have left thousands of scholars in a state of uncertainty.
Dreams Of Scholars At Stake: For years, young researchers have invested their time, energy, and resources into higher studies with the hope of contributing meaningfully to academics and society. After completing PhDs or clearing NET/SET examinations, many scholars expect to find a platform in colleges where their expertise can be utilized. However, the continuous delays in the engagement of contractual lecturers have left them disillusioned.
Colleges Face Faculty Shortage: Ironically, government colleges across J&K suffer from acute faculty shortages, especially in rural areas. Permanent recruitment processes are slow, and yet the department has not acted swiftly to fill the gap through temporary academic arrangements. Students ultimately bear the brunt of this inaction, as their education is compromised by the lack of sufficient teaching staff.
“The J&K Higher Education Department risks wasting the careers of PhD scholars and weakening the future of students in Jammu and Kashmir by neglecting their concerns and delaying their engagement. The solution requires immediate action, accountability, and respect for merit.”
Wastage of Talent,Time: Many PhD scholars are now forced to remain idle, seek unrelated jobs, or even move outside the Union Territory in search of opportunities. Their years of hard work risk going to waste, while the region itself suffers from brain drain. The situation has created frustration, financial distress, and mental stress among the highly qualified youth.
A Call For Accountability: The Higher Education Department must recognize the urgency of the matter. Engagements on an academic arrangement basis should not be delayed any further. Transparent and timely mConclusionechanisms are needed so that PhD and NET qualified youth are given due opportunities. At the same time, the government should speed up regular recruitment processes to bring stability in higher education institutions.
Conclusion: Education is the backbone of any society. By neglecting the concerns of PhD scholars and delaying their engagement, the Higher Education Department risks not only wasting the lives of these young academicians but also weakening the future of students across Jammu and Kashmir. Immediate action, accountability, and respect for merit are the only ways forward.
( The author is working with the Department of Management Studies at Govt Degree College Shopian. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
