142 seats remain vacant at Patna Science College

Patna: The Patna Science College, once known for its exceptional teaching standards and research activities nationwide, has unfortunately witnessed a decline in its reputation over the years. This decline can be attributed to various factors such as a lack of qualified teaching staff, indifference from authorities towards addressing shortcomings, insufficient funds to maintain basic facilities in classrooms, laboratories, and the library. Besides, the delinking of the plus-two education system from degree colleges has contributed to the overall deterioration of this institute, as noted by its former employees and teachers. Patna University sources said only 518 boys and girls secured their admission against 660 sanctioned seats in different honours subjects in the college. As many as 142 seats remained vacant as the applicants did not turn up for admission despite three rounds of counselling. An appreciable number of seats remained vacant even in subjects like physics, chemistry and botany. Ironically, the situation has come to such a pass today that there are few takers for different courses in this college, a constituent unit of PU. More than a decade back, addressing students of this college at a function here, former vice-chancellor of Hyderabad University and founder director of the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Syed E Hasnain, a native of Bihar, had said that his only regret in life was that after finishing his school he could not study in this premier institution. “I had applied for admission in this college, but having scored lower marks in the school finals I could not be admitted here. Ultimately, I had to study in a college at Gaya,” said eminent academic and life scientist, Hasnain. Academics rued this pitiable condition of Patna Science College, which was once had an internationally reputed faculty, highly acclaimed alumni and quality research work. Even the physical outfit of the institution stands defaced today, thanks to the ongoing construction of Ganga Path and the metro project. In fact, the front portion of the college on Ashok Raj Path has been acquired for the metro station, they said.Principal of this 97-year-old college, D N Thakur, admitted that the growing apathy of the authorities concerned towards the various shortcomings of the institution has been telling upon its academic performance. As a result, the institution no longer attracts the talented youths of the state.He pointed out that at present there are only 22 regular teachers, including him, against 110 sanctioned posts. Similarly, only 70 non-teaching employees are working against the total sanctioned posts of 214 in the college.