To address the shortage of teachers in medical and dental colleges, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to increase the retirement age for faculty members to 75 years.
PMDC Deputy Registrar Imam Bakhsh announced the decision, which has been officially communicated to all medical institutions across Pakistan. This move aims to bridge the significant gap in faculty positions nationwide. Currently, 187 medical and dental colleges require 26,018 faculty members, but only 22,146 teachers are available, impacting medical education and healthcare training.
Benefits:
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Retaining Experienced Teachers: Extending the retirement age allows experienced faculty members to continue teaching, ensuring that students receive quality education and training.
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Temporary Solution: This measure provides a stop-gap solution until new professors and lecturers can be recruited.
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Maintaining Teaching Standards: The decision helps maintain high teaching standards and prevents disruptions in learning due to faculty shortages.
Challenges:
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Long-term Plan Needed: Experts emphasize the need for a sustainable, long-term strategy to attract more professionals to the field of medical education.
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Potential Burnout: Extending the working years of current faculty members may lead to potential burnout and decreased productivity over time.
PMDC has assured that efforts are being made to recruit more qualified faculty members to fill the gap in the coming years. This step is expected to improve faculty availability and support the growing demand for medical education in Pakistan.
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