Staff shortage creating hurdles in Govt polytechnic
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 09 2023:
Despite approval from relevant authority and having adequate infrastructure, the lone Government Polytechnic, Takyelpat is unable to function at full capacity when it comes to Diploma in Pharmacy (D Pharm) course, which is one of the most sought-after courses in the state due to its potential in running small private businesses almost anywhere.
Considering the potential, the course has an increasing demand among the youth of the state.
Once completed successfully, one can start a pharmacy shop almost anywhere, which would become a means of livelihood without waiting for government jobs.
As the Government Polytechnic is not in a position to take in students to its full capacity, many aspirants are also pursuing the course in private institutions.
Among such students, some are even likely to face loss of academic year as they pursued the course in institutions not approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
The Government Polytechnic at Takyelpat has approval and infrastructure to take in 60 seats for D-Pharm, which is a two-year course.
However, there are only two teaching faculties in the institute, due to Which it is taking in only 30 seats annually.
During an interview, Polytechnic principal Ngangom Basantakumar told The People's Chronicle that the sanctioned number of teaching staff for the institute is seven but there are only five teachers now.
Earlier, there were four teachers but after retirement only two teachers are being engaged on contractual basis with a meagre remuneration of Rs 5000 per month are conducting the classes, he confided.
The principal, however, said that the proposal for recruitment of teaching staff is already in the cabinet memo awaiting approval.
He also expressed confidence that the government will soon approve the proposal and fill in the vacant seats, and added that once the vacant posts are filled, the institute will be able to take in students at full capacity.
Meanwhile, there are several private institutes offering similar courses with or without approval from PCI.
Institutes with PCI approval in the state are Saraswati Institute of Management and Paramedical Science; Faculty of Pharmacy, Bir Tikendrajit University; and College of Pharmacy, Kangleipak Medical and Nursing Institute.
All of these institutions have approval for 60 seats each but all are offering 30 seats only.
They also have approval to offer Bachelor of Pharmacy (B-Pharm) course.
On the other hand, the private institute offering D-Pharm course without PCI approval is Saina Institute of Medical Science (SIMS).
The institute is offering distance learning course on D-Pharm with 20 seats in association with Om Sterling Global University.
When enquired about the students pursuing D-Pharm through distance learning course, Manipur State Pharmacy Council registrar N Rimotkumar said that certificate of distance learning is not recognised in the state as of now and the government is not promoting the same.
Students with such certificates are not allowed to register under the council, he added.