Srinagar, Oct 10 (KNS): Students from Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, along with unemployed qualified youth, have urged the Higher Education Department to initiate a fast-track recruitment process for Assistant Professors, expressing concern over alleged shortages of regular teaching staff and delays in filling vacancies.

In a written appeal addressed to the Higher Education Department, the students and job aspirants said the shortage of permanent faculty was affecting academic activities in government colleges and undermining the quality of higher education in the Union Territory.

They claimed that students were increasingly dependent on irregular academic schedules and contractual teaching arrangements, while some institutions lacked subject specialists, affecting classroom instruction and academic continuity.

"The absence of adequate permanent faculty has led to serious academic disruptions," the petitioners stated, warning that prolonged shortages could weaken students' conceptual understanding and affect their competitiveness in higher studies and employment.

The applicants said the situation was particularly concerning for students pursuing specialised subjects that require regular academic guidance and instruction from qualified faculty members.

They also highlighted the difficulties faced by unemployed candidates who have qualified national-level eligibility examinations, including the National Eligibility Test (NET) and State Eligibility Test (SET), but are awaiting recruitment opportunities.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

According to the appeal, prolonged delays in recruitment have left many academically qualified candidates without employment despite years of preparation and investment in higher education.

The petitioners argued that the continued absence of regular recruitment was affecting both students and job aspirants, with colleges facing teaching shortages while eligible candidates remained unemployed.

They called upon the government to initiate a transparent, merit-based and time-bound recruitment process for Assistant Professors in Government Degree Colleges.

The applicants maintained that filling vacant teaching positions would help restore academic stability, improve classroom instruction and create employment opportunities for qualified candidates.

They also sought a clearly defined recruitment timeline to ensure transparency and restore confidence among students and aspirants.

The appeal urged the Higher Education Department to treat the matter as an urgent academic and employment concern and take necessary measures to strengthen the higher education system in Jammu and Kashmir.

The petitioners did not specify the number of vacant Assistant Professor posts or the period for which recruitment has remained pending.

An official response from the Higher Education Department to the demands was not available in the material shared with KNS. (KNS)