Himalayan News Service

Birgunj, March 27:

Lack of adequate number of teachers has affected studies in the Birgunj Nursing Campus (BNC), as only six teachers are handling 105 students as against 26 teachers in the past. The campus produces 35 nurses every year. The college has hired two part-time teachers to meet the requirement and some doctors from the Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital give visiting lectures on a regular basis. Campus chief Shakuntala Aryal said, “Limited workforce has been taking care of all the students.” The students are required to attend 550 hours theory classes besides practical. The academic session of the BNC begins in mid-March. Shila Mainali, a teacher, complained that they have to take the students out for practical classes themselves and conduct their exams.

Availability of better job opportunities to bachelors degree holders in private hospitals in the country and abroad has resulted in the shortage of teachers in the campus, it is learnt. The BNC said problems arise when students are taken out for fieldwork adding they have been unable to increase the students’ number since 1994 because of lack of workforce. A report said posts for five lecturers are lying vacant for years. There are two part-time teachers serving in place of three assistant trainers. The Tribhuvan University has recently announced vacancies for six posts including one associate lecturer. The BNC receives 500 applications for 35 seats every year. Since its establishment two decades ago 412 students have passed the proficiency certificate level in nursing.