NANKANA SAHIB - Despite the Punjab governments tall claims regarding improvement in ensuring education for all and promoting literacy rate especially in the Punjabs rural areas are not based on reality as all the seven colleges here are facing acute shortage of teaching staff, TheNation has learnt. According to the record acquired from the Deputy Directors office, in Government GN Degree College for Boys, eight posts of teachers are lying vacant. The college has only 1 teacher for 40 students. In the Government GN Degree College for Women, 11 teachers are available against the sanctioned strength of 22. The college has 1 teacher for 73 students. In the Government Degree College for Boys, Shahkot, where 1,201 students are being imparted education, 24 teachers are available against sanctioned strength of 35 with 1 teacher for 50 students. Likewise, Government Degree College for Women is facing the shortage of 6 teachers. In Government Islamia College (Boys), Sangla Hill, 28 teachers are available against 39 with total strength of 1,036 students having 1 teacher for 37, whereas in Government Islamia College (Women), 19 teachers are available against 25 with 1 teacher for 53 students. In Government Degree College (Women), Warburton, 10 teachers are available against 22 with 1 teacher for 27 students. In order to achieve required results in the education sector, the government will have to fill the vacant posts in the colleges. It is also the need of hour that B Sc classes should start in the colleges. The provision of science education at local level will definitely contribute to the development of the country. The shortage of teachers up to 55pc is obviously negatively affecting the students. However, a block for BSc classes in Govt Degree College constructed at a cost of millions of rupees is being used to hold examinations. This is the only college which got a no objection certificate from the Higher Education Department in August, 2010 but the Punjab University refused to grant affiliation on the basis of shortage of one teachers of Mathematics. As per PU affiliation standard, minimum two teachers for each subject are required. However, Principal Farrah Zeeba said the PU affiliation team visited 1st time on November 13, 2010 but due to unavailability of only one mathematics teacher and some other requirements, they to grant affiliation to the college. She was of the view that the PU should review its decision to for fulfilling the urged need of the local people.