Mysuru: Several post-graduate centres in rural areas of the district affiliated to University of Mysore are facing an acute teaching staff shortage.According to sources in Department of Collegiate Education (DCE), a good case study is the Government First College for Women, KR Nagar, the home constituency of tourism minister SR Mahesh. The varsity launched MSc (Chemistry) here, but both first-year and second-year classes are conducted without any permanent faculty. All classes are held by guest faculty Sources in DCE told TOI that all faculty are hired on contract for a meagre amount. "Colleges in Mysuru City have 15-20 regular faculty. But, in this college, all four faculty are guest lecturers . How students can learn well in this situation?" said an officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.College principal Annaji Gowda said he has written several letters to the department about this. R Rajanna, registrar, UoM , said this problem exists in many post-graduate centres in government first grade colleges. “As per rules, at least two faculty with NET and PhD are needed in every PG centre. When we send our inspection team, lecturers are shown on paper. After getting permission, such problems start and the department must look into the matter," he said.He said: “A few colleges in Hassan are giving tough competition to private institutes. Heads of institutions must take care of this problem.”According to DCE sources, an immediate solution is to transfer additional faculty from city colleges. "But faculty use their clout to stop the transfer. Most of the faculty are not ready to work in rural areas," said an official who declined to be named.TOI tried repeatedly to contact minister Mahesh for his comments, but in vain

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