MLC objects to govt. order on payment of salaries to guest lecturers from student fees

MLC Madhu G. Madegowda has urged the government to immediately withdraw the Higher Education Department’s order directing universities to pay the salaries of the guest lecturers appointed to Government first grade college from the fees collected from the students.

In a letter to Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar dated June 29, 2026, Mr. Madegowda cited the Higher Education Department’s order dated June 19, 2026 directing universities including Mandya University to appoint guest lecturers based on additional workload for 2026-27 on their own and pay their salaries from the fees collected from the students.

He said the Government College (Autonomous), Mandya, was upgraded into Mandya University from the 2019-20 academic year and guest lecturers required to meet the additional academic workload from 2020-21 to 2025-26 have been appointed by the Department of Collegiate Education, which has also been paying their monthly remuneration.

At present, an estimated ₹5.50 crore is being spent towards their salaries over a period of ten months every year while the university, however, collects only about ₹1.20 crore annually through student admission fees, he pointed out.

“Therefore, it is practically impossible for universities to pay the government-prescribed honorarium to guest lecturers solely from student fees,” Mr. Madegowda said.

This could result in delays in salary payments or a reduction in remuneration for guest lecturers, causing severe hardship to their livelihood. It may also place an additional financial burden on students from rural, farming and labourer families, who are already paying substantial fees, he said.

This would run contrary to the government’s commitment to social justice and equal access to education, Mr. Madegowda said.

Without an assurance of adequate remuneration, experienced guest lecturers may be reluctant to continue their services. This could create a shortage of experienced faculty for examination boards, curriculum development boards and semester examination-related work, he cautioned.

Further, teaching, examinations, research, academic activities and overall educational quality would be adversely affected, leading to a decline in the standard of higher education and negatively impacting students’ future, he said.

The State government has already constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee to strengthen the financial position of universities, improve administration and enhance academic standards. “It is surprising that such a significant decision imposing additional financial responsibility on universities has been taken even before the committee submits its report and the government acts upon its recommendations,” he said.

Hence, he urged the government to immediately withdraw the Higher Education Department’s June 19, 2026 order and continue appointment of guest lecturers through the Department of Collegiate Education with the State government bearing their full salaries.

He said no new financial burden should be imposed on the universities until the government acts on the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee. The government should implement permanent financial and administrative reforms necessary to strengthen universities and improve the quality of higher education.

“Until universities recruit permanent teaching faculty, guest lecturers should continue to be appointed and paid through the Department of Collegiate Education,” he said.