Photo Courtesy: tripuratimes
Agartala: A group of 178 guest lecturers in Tripura is pushing for a one-time recruitment process to hire them as permanent Assistant Professors. These educators served colleges for five to fifteen years before the state abruptly cut their services on August 31, 2026. The job losses left classrooms empty and students hanging. They sent a formal demand to the Chief Minister, the Higher Education Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the Higher Education Department.
Tripura colleges rely on 507 regular Assistant Professors and 732 guest lecturers to keep doors open. The petitioners argue that their long-term presence is vital. They handle everything from exams to complex student research projects. The demand comes as new academic rules complicate matters. The Four-Year Undergraduate Programme under the National Education Policy 2020 increased workloads significantly. Schools now struggle with specialized courses and interdisciplinary studies.
These instructors are not asking for a free pass. They want a fair selection process based on qualifications and experience. The group holds UGC-mandated credentials and has extensive classroom records. They want a committee of officials and subject experts to vet candidates. "The lecturers emphasised that their demand is not for relaxation of standards but for recognition of qualified individuals who have already contributed significantly to the state's higher education system."
They pointed to a 2022 policy that absorbed sixteen Post Graduate Teachers into permanent roles as a potential blueprint. However, they acknowledge the legal path must be solid. They cited a Supreme Court interim order from September 8, 2026, as the benchmark for compliance. Until the government acts, they want interim teaching plans. Failure to act will ruin the current academic term.
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