Sept. 18: The state government has clarified that the principals of state-aided colleges would enjoy the same status as professors of state-aided universities.

The parity between the status of the "whole-time regular principals" and that of professors was announced in a notification issued by the higher education department today.

The notification also stated that "whole-time" principals and "full-time" teachers of the rank of assistant professor, associate professor or professor in state-aided colleges could independently supervise PhD and MPhil scholars.

Under the existing system, only university teachers can act as independent supervisers of research scholars.

College teachers can at best be associate research superviser or co-guide.

"The decisions have been taken in accordance with the regulations laid down by the University Grants Commission," a higher education department official said.

"... Further, after issuance of the UGC's 4th Amendment Regulations, it is also clarified that the whole-time regular principals of government-aided colleges will be considered equivalent to the rank of professor since the principal of a government-aided colleges is also enjoying the same Academic Grade Pay of Rs 10,000/- equal to that % (per cent) a professor of a university and thereby, equally eligible to act as independent research supervisor for the MPhil and PhD students..." the notification states.

"... it is clarified that only the regular full-time teachers of government-aided colleges having the rank of professor/associate professor/assistant professor may act as independent research supervisor for the MPhil and PhD students in the same manner and status equal to that of a university teacher."

The principals of several state-aided colleges welcomed the move.

"The principal of an aided college is entitled to the same pay scale as a university professor. So, principals should be considered equal in rank to university professors," the principal of a south Calcutta college said.

The starting salary of the principal of an aided college is is around Rs 47,400.

The figure is almost the same for a university professor.

To apply for a principal's job, a teacher must have a PhD and at least 15 years' experience in teaching.

In order to become a university professor, a teacher needs to have a PhD and at least 10 years' experience in teaching.