College Teachers in Tripura Under Immense Work Pressure, Say Recent Media Reports Misrepresent Their Role

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 4, 2025

College teachers across Tripura are reportedly under tremendous work pressure, juggling academic, administrative, and developmental responsibilities, even as some recent newspaper reports have painted a negative and misinformed picture of their role. A viral Facebook post made by a senior college teacher today has brought this issue to the forefront of public discourse, garnering strong support from the academic community.

Referring to the recent wave of criticism in a section of the media, the teacher wrote:

"A few isolated incidents cannot define the collective effort and dedication of hundreds of committed educators across the state. We are not just employees; we are mentors, guides, and caretakers of the youth. Our bond with students is beyond institutional obligations."

This social media post, now widely shared, comes in response to what many teachers call “biased and baseless remarks” in some newspapers that have allegedly targeted college teachers over attendance and workload-related issues.

Reality on the Ground: Immense Academic and Administrative Load

Contrary to the accusations, college teachers in Tripura, particularly in the state’s general degree colleges under the Higher Education Department

are involved in multiple layers of responsibilities beyond classroom teaching.

A few key facts highlight their ongoing efforts:

Biometric Attendance Already Functional:

Most general degree colleges in Tripura have already implemented biometric attendance systems, and teachers have readily welcomed this step as a move towards increased accountability and transparency.

Massive Support in Admission Despite Staff Shortage:

In the current academic session, nearly all colleges completed the admission process for thousands of students. In most institutions, this process was carried out almost entirely by teachers due to a critical shortage of official administrative staff.

Examination and Evaluation Duties Under Two Universities:

Final semester examinations under MBB University have already been completed, while those under Tripura University are ongoing. Simultaneously, teachers are engaged in the fast-track evaluation of answer scripts to ensure timely publication of results crucial for students seeking postgraduate admissions.

Extra Classes for NEP-Driven Curriculum:

With the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP), teachers are conducting extra classes for 2nd and 4th-semester students to complete the extended syllabus ahead of exams in early September. The NEP framework has significantly increased both the number of classes and students per teacher, yet educators are adjusting with dedication and professionalism.

Beyond the Classroom:

Teachers are also actively involved in a wide array of student-centric programs and departmental mandates

ranging from scholarship coordination, skill development, anti-drug campaigns, placement initiatives, to flagship programmes like Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. Additionally, they manage institutional development works such as RUSA, PIRSA, NAAC, IQAC, AISHE, NIRF, E-office, etc.

Unspoken Responsibilities:

A sentiment echoed widely among teachers is that they do not see students as mere “stakeholders” but treat them like their own children. This emotional and moral commitment often leads them to take on numerous unlisted tasks to ensure students' all-round development and welfare.

Teachers Demand Balanced Reporting

In light of this situation, college teachers across the state are urging the media to refrain from generalizing isolated incidents and to recognize the relentless efforts being put in across Tripura’s higher education institutions.

As one teacher concluded in their viral post:

"Before pointing fingers, please step into our shoes for a day. You’ll see dedication, not dereliction."

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