November 26: Disturbed by the failure of most colleges to fill up the new post of vice-principal in junior colleges, the deputy director of education (DDE) has convened several hasty meetings with principals to sort out the matter.Around three months ago, a circular issued from the DDE's office to over 90 colleges in Mumbai informed heads of institutes to create the new post of vice-principal in their junior colleges as per a state government directive, if they had more than eight divisions in the junior college.A total of 689 posts of vice-principals were thus created after a cabinet decision to this effect was taken on May 27 this year. The state government is to incur an additional annual expenditure of Rs 2.83 crore due to these posts.Talking to Express Newsline, Deputy Director of Education (Greater Mumbai), J M Abhyankar, said: "On Monday I met most principals from south Mumbai colleges. Today, I shall be meeting the heads of degree colleges from northern suburbs to talk on this issue and clear all misunderstandings." However, many principals were confused by the circular and feared it would lead to conflict between the heads of junior and senior colleges. "Although we have already appointed a vice-principal for our junior college section, many colleges like Chetana and Lala Lajpatrai have not yet appointed anybody, as they foresee problems," said D B Kadam, principal of Bhavan's College.According to the circular, the senior most academician in the junior college should be made vice-principal for running the junior college. But in case the college wants to appoint someone else, merit must be considered.Principal Rupa Shah of Mithibai college reasoned that even if a junior person was appointed to the post, it could lead to a power clash. "The senior most professor can then allege victimisation by the college management. The state has also not formulated specific guidelines for colleges with minority status, such as our institute," she said.Principal Rupa Shah also informed that the vice-principals for junior colleges had not been given appropriate powers. For example, HSC board exam receipts will still be signed by degree college principals.However, deputy director Abhyankar argued that the clash of seniority and merit should not be confusing. "If the confidential report of the senior most lecturer is not good, someone else better qualified can be considered. There is nothing ambiguous about it," he said.But Principal Kadam informed that most degree college principals had not written memos or bad remarks in confidential reports of junior college teachers, which is why they may now be in a dilemma to appoint the senior most person as vice-principal, although he/she may not be up to the mark.
