Bhubaneswar: The state government’s directive to identify non-performing teachers for compulsory premature retirement has sparked concern among educationists and academics, who warn that the move could worsen the situation as there is aan cute shortage of qualified faculty in state-run universities and colleges.
The Higher Education department Friday asked institutional heads to review service records, performance appraisal reports, integrity status, and overall conduct of teachers and submit compliance reports by January 31.
The government said the exercise aims to improve academic standards and administrative efficiency.
However, experts see it the other way round, as they raised questions about the lack of clearly defined criteria for determining “non-performance.”
Educationist Prasanna Kumar Bisoi said, “Decisions of such gravity should not be taken in haste.
A proper and transparent examination must be conducted before taking such a decision, ensuring that teachers are evaluated fairly and objectively.”
Academic expert Naba Kishore Pujari described the policy as paradoxical, noting that while the government seeks to retire experienced teachers for alleged non-performance, it continues to rely on retired educators to fill vacancies in aided colleges.
He warned that granting local authorities the power to prepare lists of non-performing teachers could lead to favouritism and political interference.
He pointed out that teachers, particularly in rural and underfunded institutions, are often burdened with non-academic duties such as election work, administrative responsibilities, and data-related tasks, which adversely affect classroom performance.
Penalising teachers without addressing these systemic issues, they argue, would be unjust. Faculty members also expressed apprehension that compulsory retirement could demoralise teachers who have dedicated decades to the profession.
Sabyasachi Nayak, an assistant professor at Utkal University, said improper implementation of the decision could harm both teachers’ careers and institutional stability.
Students, too, expressed cautious support coupled with concerns over fairness. Anandita Mishra, a student of BJB College, said while action against genuinely inefficient teachers is necessary, the process must be impartial.
“Performance evaluation should be done by independent experts who have no personal or professional relationship with the teachers concerned,” she said.
