Rourkela, Sept. 12: With the introduction of the choice-based credit system (CBCS), Government Autonomous College here faces major hurdles as far as faculty members and infrastructure are concerned.

“Our challenges have increased manifold with the introduction of CBCS and we simply do not have enough resources to meet that,” principal Pratibha Sahoo told The Telegraph.

The college has sanctioned faculty strength of 54 and  there are 53 faculty members now. “But it is not enough. We had to hire 28 guest teachers for various departments this academic year,” said a faculty member. 

“The sanctioned strength of 54 teachers was allowed a few years back when the student strength was not what it is today. The number of departments was also less,” he said. 

“Today we have nearly 3,500 students. We need for more faculty members but no one is bothered,” said another faculty member.

At present, the college offers Plus Two, Plus Three, three postgraduate courses as well as self-financed courses. The sanctioned strength of teachers was decided much before the various new courses were introduced. 
Interestingly, two visiting faculty members come to teach English since two of the three teachers are on leave. Despite repeated reminders on the part of the college, no action was initiated. 

The college offers three postgraduate courses in English, Odia and botany.Students say it is becoming increasingly difficult for them in the classrooms.

“With the introduction of the CBCS, the college needs eight to 10 more classrooms. We have taken it up with the principal,” said Lilima Tirkey, a student.The principal said: “I have been trying my best but so far nothing productive has happened. The situation has remained unchanged for the last couple of years.”
On the other hand, the college canteen, for which the students had been agitating for a long time was opened on May 1. 

“I managed to do that despite many problems,” said the principal.