Tamil Nadu investigates irregularities in teacher education college affiliations

The Tamil Nadu higher education department is investigating allegations of large-scale irregularities in the affiliation process for private teacher education colleges. The complaints, raised by the NGO Arappor Iyakkam, involve the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University (TNTEU) during the period between 2023 and 2025.

Documents obtained via the Right to Information (RTI) Act suggest significant discrepancies in inspection records for 74 colleges. The NGO alleges that inspection teams were recorded visiting multiple institutions in different districts on the same day, sometimes located over 500 km apart, making physical inspections logistically impossible. For example, one committee was reportedly listed as inspecting colleges in Perambalur, Thiruvallur, Tiruchy, and Thoothukudi on a single day.

Further allegations include the use of “ghost faculty,” where the same individuals are listed as staff members across numerous institutions to meet National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) requirements. The NGO claims 37 faculty members were accounted for in 222 different locations, with one individual listed in 11 separate colleges. Additionally, the reports suggest that some professors were listed as principals for multiple institutions simultaneously and that principals of private colleges were acting as inspectors for other private institutions.