The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics is facing a big problem with its leadership. A recent petition shows that 73% of the teachers don’t trust their Director, Dr. Rajas Parchure. They shared their concerns with the governing board on October 12, 2023. The teachers are upset about how Dr. Parchure has been making decisions about money and resources over the past 18 months.
The disagreement started because of some important changes. For example, Dr. Parchure cut the budget for research by 35%, closed four research centers, and introduced a new way to evaluate teachers that many feel is unfair. Many teachers are also unhappy because Dr. Parchure took Rs. 2.8 crore from traditional studies and moved it to new technology programs without asking for their opinions.
A survey showed that 89% of teachers feel there isn’t enough openness in how decisions are made. Also, 76% believe that their freedom to teach and research has gotten worse under Dr. Parchure. Since he became director, the number of research projects has dropped by 28%, and getting grants has become much harder.
To look into these problems, the governing board has set up a review committee with three outside professors and two industry experts. They’ll check 147 complaints, review how money is spent, and see how changes have affected the school’s research and teaching by December 15, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has put an interim committee in place to watch over the institute’s work and ensure everything is running smoothly. This committee can also change any decisions made since July 2023 that are causing trouble.
This leadership issue is important not just for the institute but also for its connections with 27 international universities. If not resolved, it could affect the school’s upcoming accreditation review. Many alumni have shown support for the teachers, with 64% agreeing with their concerns in a recent survey.
How this situation is handled will decide if the Gokhale Institute continues to be one of India’s top schools for economics and political science.
