Hyderabad: The higher education system appears to be grappling with an impending shortage of experienced faculty as the current retirement age of 61 threatens to erode the quality of education and mentorship.With the number of teachers with over 20 years of experience set to plummet after 2026, the Telangana Affiliated and Aided College Teachers’ Association (TAACTA) has urged the state government to increase the retirement age to 65 years, aligning with the policies at the Centre and in other states. “Experienced educators are indispensable. If their retirement age isn’t extended, the ripple effects on students, research, and academic standards will be devastating,” said Dr A. Silma Naik, president of TAACTA. In its appeal, TAACTA also referred to earlier communications from the Union HRD ministry and UGC, which directed state universities to increase the retirement age to 65 years. The association noted that central institutions, including IITs, AIIMS, and several states like West Bengal, have implemented the policy. “We have written to the UGC and other bodies several times to stress the need for this extension,” said Dr. D. Vidyadhar, general secretary of the association. “It is essential for Telangana to catch up with others. The government’s decision to raise the retirement age for medical college faculty evidences that it recognises the importance of experienced educators. It’s time this applies to all colleges,” he added. The association also pointed to a 2007 directive from the MHRD that highlighted the shortage of senior teaching staff and recommended extending the retirement age to 65 for centrally funded institutions. West Bengal implemented a similar policy in 2019, increasing the retirement age for aided colleges to 65 years. “Experienced faculty is critical for guiding younger teachers and fostering research. Without their expertise, institutions risk losing academic depth,” said Dr C. Rajeshwer, chairman of TAACTA. Education relies heavily on the experience of its teachers. By extending their tenure, institutions not only retain academic excellence but also inspire students, foster innovation, and ensure a seamless transfer of institutional knowledge, many of the association members said. The association urged the Telangana government to act promptly, citing the successful implementation of the policy in Telangana’s medical colleges as a worthy precedent.
Source link
