Over Two-Thirds of State-Run College Principal Posts Vacant, BJP Urges Action

On Friday, July 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit president Nainar Nagenthran urged the Tamil Manila Visuvasigal Katchi (TVK)-led government and Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan to address a critical issue highlighted in a media report. According to the report, the post of principal is vacant in at least 125 out of the 181 state-run arts and science colleges in Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Nagenthran stated that it is a bitter truth that students do not prefer state-run colleges that lack qualified teachers, necessary buildings, modern laboratories, and basic amenities. He remarked, "It is an insult to the government machinery that people are preferring private educational institutions, even if the fee is higher." The BJP leader further alleged that admissions to government arts and science colleges have declined due to the lackadaisical attitude of the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regime, contrasting with an era when admission to government institutions was considered an achievement and a path to a bright future.

The issue underscores the challenges faced by the state's higher education sector. State-run colleges have traditionally been a vital avenue for affordable education, particularly for students from economically weaker sections. The widespread vacancies in leadership positions can affect administrative efficiency, academic planning, and overall quality of education. The BJP's call for immediate action highlights the need for the TVK government to prioritize filling these vacancies and improving infrastructure to restore public confidence in government institutions.

As of now, the TVK government and the Higher Education Minister have not issued an official response to the BJP's statement. The situation warrants attention to ensure that students receive quality education and that state-run colleges can compete with private institutions.