The Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) states that there is currently a shortage of university teachers in the entire university system of the country, which has exceeded 1,800. Because of this, the university system is facing a severe crisis.
Although 8,500 apprentice lecturers, senior lecturers and professors should be employed for teaching in the entire university system. Currently, only 6,700 teachers are employed, and the most considerable shortage of teachers is in the University of Peradeniya, said the association’s spokesperson, Senior Lecturer Charu Datta Ilangasinghe. He also emphasizes that there are 257 vacancies at Peradeniya University.
In addition, there are 227 vacancies at the University of Moratuwa, 209 vacancies at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 164 vacancies at the University of Colombo, 137 vacancies at the University of Jaffna, 152 vacancies at the University of Ruhuna, 133 vacancies at the University of Rajarata and Kelaniya Universities. There are doctor vacancies for persons with honorary degrees in every university, said the Senior Lecturer.
He said that the government recently issued a circular restricting recruitment to the public service, and due to this, there is a situation where recruitment cannot be done for any position.
Also, due to the current economic crisis, lecturers are leaving the country, and the shortage of academics may increase in the future. According to the approved statistics of the government, there should be 8,500 lecturers, but 11,300 lecturers should work for the regular running of the entire university system, pointed out Lecturer Charu Datta Ilangasinghe.
