All is not well with PU English department

PATNA: From hallowed precincts to hollow ruins. That''s how one can recount the decline of English department of the Patna University.
To cater to 200 odd students of the department, there are just four teachers.
The department has been running short of adequate staff for several years in a row. Against the sanctioned strength of 11 teachers, the department is managing with only five teachers.
On the issue of new appointments, PU vice-chancellor K K Jha said, "The university cannot make appointments on its own, as the University Service Commission is the competent authority for the purpose.However, the commission exists only on paper."
He said the university is trying to tide over the difficulties by making ad-hoc appointments.
"We request the retired teachers to engage few lectures for which they are paid Rs 150 per lecture," he said. But, Jha said, there are few retired teachers of English who want to continue serving the department.
University professor Shankar Dutta, who has been serving the university for the last 24 years, blames the powers that be for this degeneration.
"We are hard pressed for funds. Teachers do not get salary on time and are never given due recognition. Hence, the motivation level is very low," he said.
Sharing the same view, Muniba Sami said that the department has suffered in terms of quality of education.
Citing an example, she said 19 students, who have cleared the pre-registration test for PhD in 2003, won''t be able to access the latest research work, as the department does not even have a computer. "The library also needs a renovation," she said.
However, everything is not lost. Teachers and students are assiduously trying to bring back the glory.
Not bowing before the fait accompli, students have put up a wall paper to air their views and grievances.
Ranjit Mandal, a sixth year student, said, "It''s better to make a start than remain silent."
Hod Ratri Roy said that the department has proposed to the university to start a PG diploma course in professional English. Students hope that it doesn''t get caught in red tape. But only if wishes were horses...