The Desheeya Vidya Shala Samithi (DVS), a Shivamogga-based trust running several government-aided educational institutions, is hopeful of receiving State government approval to fill teaching vacancies arising from staff retirements in the near future.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, DVS secretary S.P. Dinesh said that the process had been delayed due to uncertainty surrounding the implementation of internal reservations for Scheduled Castes. “The government has now taken a final decision on the internal reservation policy, though it is yet to be implemented. We are hopeful of receiving permission to fill the vacant teaching posts soon,” he said.

Mr. Dinesh explained the financial constraints faced by aided institutions, noting that while the government provides salary grants for teaching staff, all other expenses, including salaries of non-teaching and support staff, have to be managed by the institution itself.

He further pointed out that the current rules permit replacement only for teachers who retired prior to 2020, leaving vacancies created after that year unfilled.

On a brighter note, DVS director K. Basappa Gowda highlighted the strong academic performance of the institutions this year. The DVS Pre-University College (Independent) secured eight ranks in the PU examinations, five in the Commerce stream, two in Arts, and one in Science, making it the only PU college in the district to achieve eight ranks across streams. The DVS Arts, Science and Commerce College also had an impressive performance in the Kuvempu University annual examinations for 2024-25, with students securing six ranks and three gold medals.

Directors and other office-bearers of the institute were present at the press conference.