NEW DELHI: Delhi University teachers on Tuesday resolved to continue with the evaluation boycott till June 11 to protest the UGC notification on revising the workload and career promotions. UGC member Inder Mohan Kapahy has given his dissent note against the UGC move.
In April, Kapahy had objected to the UGC decision to bring amendment to teachers workload and revise the Academic Performance Indicator (API). Though he could not be reached for comments, sources said the move would prove detrimental to maintaining the optimum standards in education.
During the general body meeting at SGTB Khalsa College, DU teachers expressed dismay over the alleged disregard displayed by both UGC and the HRD Ministry towards the future of lakhs of ad hoc teachers, who are feared to lose their jobs after the notification. “The empty promises made by the UGC and HRD Ministry about no loss of jobs or retrenchment are exposed by their reluctance to give a written assurance that tutorials and practicals with full weightage would be part of the direct teaching hours.
“Neither was the Chairperson, UGC, willing to concede anything on the issue of the rollback of the notification. This shows how the UGC has been reduced to a body devoid of any powers to take decisions regarding higher education unless given a nod by the government. It becomes clear that the government is not at all serious about finding a quick resolution to the demands of the protesting teachers,” said a statement issued by the teachers after the meeting.
The agitating teachers have argued that the gazette notification, issued last month, has made the API system more stringent, which is detrimental to the interest of the ad-hoc teachers, especially those who are years in service and are waiting for regularisation of their positions.
The number of teaching hours has been increased to 18 hours from 16 hours in case of assistant professor as per the notification, 16 hours for associate professor and 14 hours in case of professor. In addition, all of them would have to put in an extra six hours on tutorials and remedial classes, seminars and other administrative responsibilities. The enhanced working hours will leave no room for engagement of ad-hoc teachers, rendering them jobless.
New rules
The number of teaching hours has been increased to 18 hours from 16 hours in case of assistant professors, 16 hours for associate professor and 14 hours in case of professors, as per the notification