Bhola Government College, the district’s oldest and most prestigious higher education institution, is facing a severe teacher shortage that has long disrupted regular teaching activities.
Multiple departments have vacant posts, leaving students struggling to complete syllabuses, prepare for exams, and access quality education.
Associate Professor Humayun Kabir of the college said the institution has 18 departments, but many are short-staffed, making it impossible to follow the scheduled class routine.
He added, “Often, classes have to be conducted by guest lecturers, which is not productive for students. In some departments, a single teacher has to manage classes for multiple years.”
College administration sources said the institution has 92 sanctioned teaching positions, but only 51 are currently filled, leaving around 41 posts vacant and creating a critical shortage.
Department-wise, the Bengali department has five vacancies out of seven posts, English and Political Science have two each, Social Work four, and Economics three.
Significant shortages are also reported in Accounting, Management, Islamic History and Culture, Philosophy, Islamic Studies, Physics, and Soil Science departments.
College insiders said reliance on part-time and guest lecturers is putting the quality of education at risk.
Sakib Hossain Sakhawat, a student of the Botany department, said, “Regular classes are not held, and the syllabus is rarely completed before exams.” Students from Social Work and Political Science, Md Mehedi Hasan and Nusrat Jahan Kabir, also reported reduced class hours and disrupted exam preparation due to the shortage.
Parents and students claimed the shortage is forcing many to depend on private tuition and coaching, increasing expenses and hitting poorer students hardest.
Several teachers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the shortage is placing extra pressure on existing staff, who must manage multiple year-groups alongside administrative duties.
Humayun Kabir added, “Maintaining quality teaching has become very difficult. Without urgent recruitment, the situation will worsen.”
Principal Professor Md Israfil said the college has repeatedly informed higher authorities about the shortage and submitted necessary requests to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education to fill vacant posts.
Educationist Professor Nasir Ahmed warned, “Without swift action, students’ futures could become uncertain.”
Students and parents are urging the Ministry of Education to intervene immediately, restore regular classes, and ensure a normal learning environment.
