Students of the government polytechnic in Samba district are facing shortage of permanent staff, basic infrastructure and other facilities.
The polytechnic was set up in 2012 and was being run from a private building till last year. Later, it was shifted to the new campus at Painthi in Samba, offering courses in civil and automobile engineering.
Official sources said there were over 270 students at the polytechnic at present from various districts, including Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Reasi, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Ramban, Leh and Kargil.
“The building that was supposed to be completed two years ago is still incomplete. There are only two permanent teachers. The others are guest or contractual teachers,” said Assif, an engineering student.
“The posts of principal and a head of department have been lying vacant for the last two years. The college is being run by an in charge head of department,” he said.
“The institute does not have basic amenities such as toilets, drinking water facility, playground and hostel for girls or boys,” he further said.
“The main approach road is in a dilapidated condition. We are staying in rented rooms or paying guest accommodation. There is no proper bus service to the college,” he said.“There is no proper laboratory. Students are unable to gain enough practical knowledge as computers and other laboratory equipment are lying idle due to non-availability of trained faculty,” said another student.
“We are facing innumerable problems which are affecting our education. The higher authorities should look into the matter and take immediate measures in this regard,” he said.
Subhash Kumar, head of the department at the polytechnic, said the Technical Education Department had sanctioned 22 teaching staff posts.
The college had two permanent teachers and the rest of the staff required has been appointed on contractual basis, he said.
Construction was in the last leg and some amenities were yet to be provided, he said. The remaining work was going on on a war footing so that students would not face any problem, he said.
