Post News Network
Cuttack, April 12: Just four teachers for over a thousand students – such is the alarming state of affairs at Madhusudan Law College, considered one of the top law schools in the state.
The 160-year-old college, which at one point used to be counted among the foremost law schools across the country by virtue of its rich history of producing many famous lawyers and judges, is now virtually hanging to its reputation by a thread.
The severe staff crunch, to put it mildly, is the main reason for a drastic fall in quality of teaching here. Students interested in pursuing law as a career are now thinking twice before even considering Madhusudan Law College as an option.
First established in 1856 as Ravenshaw Collegiate School with diploma courses in law, it was shifted to Ravenshaw College in 1881 and later became affiliated to Calcutta University. Many years later, it changed affiliation to the newly-founded Utkal University. In a mark of respect to Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, the name of the college was changed from Collegiate School to Madhusudan Law College in 1949.
The institution is now offering LLB, LLB (Honours), LLM and a five-year integrated law course with 1,050 students on its rolls. As per UGC and Bar Council of India guidelines, the teacher and student ratio should be 1:20 – one teacher for every 20 students. But such is the dismal scenario that the college has only four teachers including the principal.
“Despite its incredible contribution to the state in the field of law studies, the college is passing through a bad phase, solely due to an indifferent, apathetic attitude pursued by the state government,” said a faculty member requesting anonymity.
The government is not recruiting teaching staff despite retirement and transfer of many teachers from the college. As a result, three-year courses are taking four years to be completed.
“The hostel and library are in complete disarray. The library hardly functions while the hostel is fit to accommodate only 100 students,” rued student union president Dipak Mulia.
“There are problems,” admits principal PK Rana, who points out the problems can be solved if more faculty members are appointed. “I have apprised the vice-chancellor of Utkal University of the matter of fresh appointments. Steps are also being taken to improve the condition of the library and hostel,” he said.
