Faculty shortages have existed in India’s higher education sector at least since the 1980s, but seem to have become permanent today. The paucity of a sufficient number of faculty members undermines the growth of the country’s knowledge sector and hinders its aspiration to be recognised as a “vishwa guru”. Colleges and universities need a sufficient number of teachers and researchers to create and disseminate knowledge.
Also read: The many structural flaws in India’s higher education system
For teaching purposes, online education is useful, but it cannot replace classroom instruction. And for research, there really is no substitute for a larger body of qualified faculty members.
