Patna University vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh looks at an artwork by College of Arts and Crafts students. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Jan. 5: Patna University (PU) has hit upon a fresh idea to fill up the vacant teachers’ posts in College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, after almost 35 years.

The university has asked students to give feedback on the performance of ad hoc teachers to help it decide on absorbing them as permanent faculty. Starting January 7, the varsity administration will hold a written test and interview for applicants to assistant professors’ posts.

PU took more than three decades and a recent Patna High Court directive to decide on filling up the vacancies in the art college.

The college students have been provided a form in which they have to grade six ad hoc teachers working for more than 10 years on an eight-point scale.

Elaborating the plan, PU vice-chancellor (VC) Shambhu Nath Singh said: “As students are the best judge of teachers, we thought of getting students’ perception about the ad hoc teachers. They have to grade the existing teachers on eight indicators, including knowledge of the subject matter, ability and efforts to inspire and motivate students, availability to help students after class, use of class time and others.”

The varsity has received 219 applications against vacancies for 11 regular teachers. Singh said: “We have received applications from candidates who have studied from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, and Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai. That makes the selection process tough. But if students feel that any of the existing ad hoc teachers are good, they would definitely be given preference over the others, as they have served the college for more than 10 years.”

Students have been asked not to write their names in the forms, as the entire process would be strictly confidential.

Aspiring candidates will face a four-tier test, which includes written exam, presentation and oral skills, interview and past academic performance.

Acting on a recent PIL, Patna High Court had directed PU to start the appointment process. It was annoyed on coming to know that the college had been functioning without any permanent teacher and principal for years.

The VC today visited the college and interacted with students about their problems. Students complained about an outdated syllabus that has not been revised for more than 30 years.

Gopal Kumar, a student of the college, said: “Students lag in contemporary art because the syllabus has not been revised in more than 30 years.” The students also complained that the existing ad hoc faculty members were hesitant in solving their problems, putting the entire pressure to clear the semesters on them.