HC poser on guest lecturers

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday held that the college students in the state cannot be left to be taught by guest lecturers indefinitely. “The guest lecturers do not have the commitment and sincerity, which are required for teaching students as they are uncertain about their continued employment. Permanent qualified teachers are to be put in place to teach the students,” the court held.Justice S Siri Jagan passed the order while considering a petition submitted by Prijisha K and Bhavana of Kannur. Both the petitioners are doing Post-graduation in Zoology at the Mananthavady Campus of Kannur University. They argued that the university has not filled the vacancy after a qualified faculty was sent back to his parent college after cancelling  his deputation.“Only qualified teachers must handle post-graduate classes. Without experienced and well-qualified teachers, the course cannot be completed properly,” they said. Termination of P K Prasad, course and campus director, was detrimental to the students. At present, three guest lecturers are handling the department, the petitioners pointed out.