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Online Examinations- A Distant Prospect: UGC Expresses Grave Concerns

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Amidst digital divide and furthering inequality the University Grants Commission (UGC) has expressed its concerns with relation to online mode as alternative.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) hints towards the incapability of the country’s potential in resorting to online mode of examinations for all of its university students, as such a means appears to be a distant prospect in all likelihood.

A seven member committee headed by R.C. Kuhad, Vice Chancellor, Haryana University was formed by UGC in the previous week to dive into the matters of academic sessions and examinations of higher education. This committee has expressed it’s qualms over India’s lack of resources and infrastructure, when it comes to conducting online exams. The alternative of online exams came in the first place due to the postponement of final exams by the majority of Central Universities in wake of prevention from the widespread contamination of the COVID-19.

“We have received some serious concerns and various suggestions regarding holding exams, and we are working towards finding a solution,” said R.C. Kuhad in a statement made to The Print. The committee has supposedly submitted their report to the government on 13th April 2020. The theme of the discussion is more on further postponement of exams until future clarification than on online exam conduction.

An official told The Print while highlighting the lack of confidence in online exams as a prospect alternative, “Online examinations in universities look like a remote possibility, because we do not have a mechanism of conducting exams through online mode. Also, there are many students who are in rural areas, or areas that do not have proper access to facilities. How will they be able to write exams?” The official further added, “These are the questions that the committee is dealing with, and is tilting against the idea of having online exams. What they are looking at, instead, is suggesting that the universities conduct exams after June, once the schools and colleges are open. We also agree with the idea that universities are not capable of holding online examinations.

Statements retrieved from The Print where another UGC official expressed lack of confidence in infrastructure and questioned, “How will the universities make sure students are not cheating sitting at home? How will they ensure this facility is not misused? There are a lot of concerns that the stakeholders will have to look at.”

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) also reiterated similar concerns in a statement issued on Sunday saying, “Online education models cannot be a substitute to regular classroom teaching. It does not work in a country where internet connectivity and smartphones are limited to a class of students only.”

The Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM), an RSS-affiliated teacher’s body also gave suggestions to the UGC regarding- prioritising the examinations of final semester students of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and also avoiding of mass promotion of students to next semester without exams.

Agnitra Ghosh, an assistant professor at department of Journalism of Kamala Nehru College, expressed his concerns to DU Beat, saying,”The idea of online examination, we believe, is not at all viable and discriminatory, especially for students from deprived backgrounds. While we are taking online lectures, there are several issues like problems with connectivity, threats to privacy etc.”.  He further added, “As  soon as the university reopens, the examination should take place after completing the teaching process (internal assessment etc).”

“There are more than nine lakh students in Delhi University who are waiting to write their exams. Keeping their future in mind, we have begun preparations for conducting online exams. But we are still awaiting directions from UGC to go ahead with the plan,” Vinay Gupta, Dean of Examinations at DU, said as reported by The Print.

This move of proceeding with the online exams in Delhi University is opposed by teacher’s bodies like DUTA and student bodies like the KYS. A majority of Universities are waiting for the UGC to signal guidelines which as of date are not very convinced about the potential of the conduct of online methods.

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Umaima Khanam

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DUTA Suggests Series of Measures to be Undertaken Amidst Covid-19 Lockdown

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Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) in recent administrative feedback has released a series of suggestive measures for the Delhi University (DU) administration to consider while tackling the academic hurdles brought on by the global pandemic.

On 14th April 2020, DUTA released an administrative feedback to DU regarding the handling of the global pandemic situation of COVID-19. In the released statement, DUTA points out the faults in the university’s semester and examination schedule, pointing out how neither was well-equipped to handle a crisis as such, leading to a collapse in the teaching semester. “The pandemic has also exposed the failure of the semester system with its tight teaching-learning and examination schedule to be able to weather any crisis such as the present.”

DUTA pointed out the problems with the online classes and e-resources provided by the university and how lacking the method is and definitely not at a capacity to replace or make up for in-class lectures any time soon. Given our student demography, it is important to recognize that a large section of students come from outside Delhi and that an equally significant number comes from underprivileged backgrounds, and the environment at their homes is unlikely to be conducive for learning. The University and colleges have so far not been able to collect data on how many students have accessibility to the e-resources and lectures shared by teachers. Given the diverse population of students to whom the University of Delhi caters to and the student strength, the means and modes of assessment and examination adopted in the context of the lockdown should ensure that the solutions offered do not further marginalize the already marginalized sections of students or create a situation where large sections of students lose out due to the circumstances they face,” the feedback statement read. They also pointed out the fact that most students who had gone back home during the mid-semester break (which had included Holi) had not carried their textbooks and reading materials with them.

DUTA, therefore, concluded that online examinations for the university would not be viable options, owing to the lack of resources and inaccessibility to many students of the university.

DUTA has offered the following suggestions to the administration:

  • Examinations to be held only after teaching days lost during quarantine period are recovered, with priority being given to final year students. DUTA suggested readjusting the holidays for summer accordingly.
  • Final year students should be provided with provisional certificates with details of their SGPA and CGPA.
  • If opened in a phased manner, colleges should give priority to final year students with exams being held 15 days after re-opening.
  • Schedule of the new academic year be adjusted according to the course requirements of current batches.
  • Considering shifting the examinations of UG level courses to an annual mode, in order to properly equip the administration for a similar crisis in the future.
  • Universities should hold meetings of all statutory bodies in order to prepare for dealing with the situation. Students should be kept informed of all measures being taken, even if they’re temporary.

“In the case of the University of Delhi, which caters to lakhs of students, we firmly believe that attempts must be made to ensure that (i) students enrolled in regular programmes be taught and evaluated as per the laid down framework (ii) essential classroom teaching to SOL and NCWEB be completed as per the requirements and commitment of these programmes and (iii) conduct of online centralized examinations be ruled out completely as the University neither has the infrastructure nor the capability of providing/ensuring level playing field in terms of accessibility and ease to the diverse student population it caters to,” the feedback read.

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Shreya Juyal

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E-Footprints to be Provided by Teachers to Receive Payments

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Guest Lecturers will be required to produce e-footprints of online classes conducted to receive salary payments.

Guest lecturers at Delhi University (DU) will be required to produce e-footprints of online classes in order to acquire payment.

Dr. Geeta Bhatt, Director of Non Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) said, “There will be natural justice for all those teaching online and conducting classes by logging in. If you have taken classes online, produce certification for it. There are e-classroom links created and shared with the guest teachers. Google Classroom, Zoom will have e-footprints which will be taken into account”. She clarified that lectures shared on WhatsApp or PDFs mailed cannot be considered actual classes; one should have logged in to interact with the class for a 50-minute lecture.

However, guest teachers require a lot of bureaucratic procedures before the actual receipt of the money by the person intended. Therefore, the exercise of the above mentioned proposition is complex and tedious. Almost 2,000 guest lecturers work at the University’s NCWEB and School of Open Learning.

The complexity of this matter remains a relative issue as different colleges affiliated to the University of Delhi are treating the issue in their own ways.

“In Hindu (College), the word of the TIC (teacher-in-charge) is being counted. Many of the guest lecturers might not be this lucky”, said a faculty at the college on condition of anonymity.

A guest faculty at DU’s Miranda House who wished to remain anonymous said, “it is not clear whether the salaries will be based on . classes or consolidated overall… In Miranda House, we do not have a problem; in any case we upload our material weekly. But till we get the money, we don’t know what it will be based on.” 

Rajib Ray, President of Delhi University Teachers’ Association drafted a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor (VC) on 6th April 2020, stating the delay in the payment of salaries to teachers working on Ad-Hoc basis. The letter also stated that employees must be considered “on duty”.

Concerns regarding the online procedures to be subjected to a sluggish rate have been out forth. The varsity notified the students regarding delay in examinations. Similar notifications regarding the online procedures are awaited.

Featured image credits: Saubhagya Saxena for DU Beat 

Priyanshi Banerjee

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DUTA Writes To DU VC Regarding Delay in Salaries

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Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA)  wrote to Professor Yogesh Tyagi, Vice Chancellor (VC), Delhi University (DU) regarding the delay in the payment of salaries to teachers working on ad hoc/guest basis.

On 6th April 2020, DUTA wrote to Professor Yogesh Tyagi, VC, DU regarding the delay in the payment of salaries to the teachers of the university who are working on ad hoc/guest basis. Though DUTA thanked the administration for the steps that the university has taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the series of notifications for the payment of salaries to employees – teaching and non-teaching and staff under CAS / SAP / DSA Scheme, honorarium to guest faculty and fellowships to project staff, researchers and fellows, they drew attention to the delay in the payment of salaries of ad hoc and guest teachers. The delay of payment of salaries has remained to be a pressing issue plaguing the university’s temporary teaching staff and especially in the ongoing pandemic, it is turning fatal for money and gravely jeopardising their financial situation. According to sources, the departments had sent approvals regarding the extension of the term of ad hoc teachers and the appointment of guest lectures, but due to delay in these approvals, the temporary faculty is now facing a denial of financial security.

“It seems that Departments are still awaiting necessary approvals from the University,” DUTA wrote, as revealed by a released press statement. “It had been brought to our notice that ad-hoc teachers have either been paid salaries till 29 February or till 20 March 2020. Departments had sent recommendations for the extension of the term of these teachers and are still awaiting approvals. As far as guest teachers are concerned, approvals to their appointments are yet to be received by Departments even though these teachers have been teaching since the beginning of the semester. Heads of Departments are hesitant to fill the required information in the form sent out in the absence of these approvals. Please note that this delay in completing required formalities have denied financial security to these teachers. Salaries and honorarium are often delayed for months together but a delay in the current situation is causing much hardship to teachers.”

Before the shut down of the university, the organisation had called for an indefinite strike of DU teachers to protest against the lack of job security for ad hocs and guest lecturers who were denied job security.

Rajesh Jha, EC Member, said, “There is no nationale to withhold their salary, when they have been working hard for our university despite their uncertain situation. They are still attending the students. Even the central and state governments have come out with the policy of no salary cut during the period of lockdown. The university and college administration must release their salaries immediately.”

Vice Chancellor Professor Yogesh Tyagi is yet to comment on the released statement by DUTA.

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Shreya Juyal

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DUTA writes to Delhi Government Regarding Unpaid Salaries

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DUTA wrote to the Deputy Chief Minister highlighting the inadequacy of the previous grant to cover employees’ salaries and pensions.

On 3rd April 2020, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) wrote to Shri Manish Sisodia, Minister of Education and Deputy Chief Minister, New Delhi regarding the inadequacy of the grant released by the government to 12 Delhi University colleges funded by the Delhi Government. The funds released on 30th March were said to be insufficient and many colleges were unable to pay the salaries and pensions of both teaching and non-teaching employees.

The Association had written to the Government on 26th March, requesting them to enquire into the insufficiency of funds after many colleges had alleged that the grant would only cover the salaries and other expenses for two months which had been due since January.  

Hem Chand Jain, acting principal of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, told NewsClick, “Given the dues in form of arrears, property tax, salaries of teachers and non-teaching staff, we had expected an approximate grant of Rs 12-13 crore. But, with this amount we would be able to pay the salaries for January and February only. The salary of March which would be paid on April 1 cannot be covered in this amount. Additionally, we need to pay Rs 1.90 crore as Property Tax. Whether our electricity and water connections will continue or not in absence of payment, we do not know.”

He added, “Traditionally, we used to get grants in March for the salaries till June. How will we pay salaries till May or June? I hope the Delhi Government releases the required grant soon.” The sanction order, however, had awarded Rs 4.2 crore for salaries and Rs 40 lakh for other expenses to the college.

The reason for this crisis is said to be the tussle between the Delhi Government and the Delhi University administration regarding the appointment of governing bodies of the twelve colleges that are funded by the Delhi Government. The DU administration had rejected the names of the people that the Aam Aadmi Party Government in Delhi had suggested since they did not qualify the criteria that are in place to appoint members to the governing bodies. AAP, however, accuses the administration of creating roadblocks at the behest of the BJP Government in the Centre.

Delhi Government funds 28 colleges in all – 12 fully and 16 colleges partially. The 12 colleges are Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Science, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Shaheed Raj Guru College , Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, Acharya Narendra Dev College, Bhagini Nivedita College, Keshav Maha Vidyalaya, Maharaja Agrasen College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Mahirishi Balmiki College of Education and Bhaskara Charya College of Applied Science.

Sixteen colleges that are partially-funded by the Delhi Government are Shivaji College, Motilal Nehru College, Laxmi Bai College, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, Maiteryi College, SPM College for Women, Satyawati College, Vivekanand College, Rajdhani College, Kamla Nehru College, Gargi College, Swami Shardhanand College, Kalindi College, Bharti College, Sri Aurbindo College and Delhi College of Arts and Commerce.

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Khush Vardhan Dembla

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DUTA Strike Called off Amidst COVID-19 Outbreak

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Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has decided to call off the protest demanding absorption of ad hoc teachers as the global pandemic COVID-19 has made the country come to a standstill.

The protest which has been going on since December last year was staged in front of the varsity Vice Chancellor’s house. DUTA President, Rajib Ray informed about this development on Saturday. 

The strike was called off after a team of doctors from the University, visited and examined the site. After doing so they concluded that the site was lacking necessary measures and hence the team advised DUTA to call off the protest for the time being.

DUTA strike 1 by Uru Yadu Ushanandani

Image Credits: Yadu Ushanandani for DU Beat

In a letter addressed to the members of the faculty body, Mr. Ray said, “The responsibility of sustaining such action programmes cannot entirely fall on a few and today, as a collective, we cannot risk the lives and health of our members and their families. I wish to assure all teachers, that we will collectively rebuild our agitation on our key issues. It is my duty to share the information that during the inspection by a team of doctors and other officers from the MCD, at the university on March 20, the doctors raised alarm at the conditions of the tents. The doctors inspecting the site concluded that the safety and hygiene standards were not adequate, given the present situation.”

Saikat Ghosh, Teachers’ representative at the University Academic Council, said, “ We had decided to call off the protest as it’d have been irresponsible on our part to risk the lives of the teachers involved. Apart from this we are following all the directives given by ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) and the government. DUTA will be deciding the future steps to be taken after this outbreak of COVID-19 has been fended off.”

Till now the protest has resulted in the commencement of the formalities regarding issues related to promotions and permanent appointments. However, groundwork by the University administration is yet to be seen.

 

Feature Image Credits: Yadu Ushanandani

Aniket Singh Chauhan

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DUTA Releases Set of Demands Regarding COVID-19

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In a press release dated 19th March 2020, Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) released a set of demands for the Vice-Chancellor regarding COVID-19.

In the midst of the global pandemic, DUTA has released a set of demands for the working conditions of the DU faculty regarding COVID-19. The statement contained five sets of demands brought forth by DUTA, pertaining to the management of the faculty and teaching done by the university regarding the pandemic.

DUTA has requested the administration of a few colleges that are still insisting that teachers working on ad-hoc and guest basis should necessarily be present in the College to desist from doing so and not request the physical presence of the teachers, and instead adhere to e-learning and online resources to continue with the teaching in the university, and to not discriminate ad-Hocs and guest teachers in relation to the preventative measures put forth by the university to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They have also asked for financial compensation for guest teachers who are making themselves available through e-resources during their assigned teaching hours, and to use the online resources and assistance that they’re providing to students as a record for the payment. DUTA also insists that the semester exams and activities be pushed back and rescheduled accordingly, as e-resources and online classes can not compensate for in-class lectures and that various students of the university residing in other parts of the country do not have access to a stable internet connection. The organisation has, therefore, urged the administration to make an example of the other universities who have pushed back and/or rescheduled their exams and semester schedule for the same purpose. They have also urged the administration to think of the students and teaching faculty of SOL and NCWEB, and ensure that the stipulated contact hours are met, and also to keep in mind the financial need of the guest-teachers of these organisations. Lastly, DUTA has urged that the University implements similar preventative measures to reduce the contact points of non-teaching staff as it has for its teaching faculty and to decrease in theworking days and staggered working hours for those on duty, to prevent the spread of the disease for this section of the workers of the university as well.

“We hope that the University responds by providing necessary institutional help to all sections of the University in this hour of crisis,” the press release stated.

The university has suspended classes till 31st March to provide relief and prevent the spread of COVID-19 amongst students and faculty and urges students to practice social distancing to stay healthy.

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Shreya Juyal

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The Executive Council Holds Emergency Meeting for DU

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A meeting of the Executive Council (EC), discussing significant DU centric agendas took place on 26th February, Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the council room at the Vice Regal Lodge, Delhi University (DU).

Some of the primary agendas that were to be discussed in this emergent meeting include drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DU and Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India regarding the declaration of DU as an institution of Eminence (IoE). Apart from this implementation of the IoE proposed in the previous meeting would also be thought further. The creation of the post of Director General, IoE and consequential amendments to the relevant Statutes and Ordinances is marked as another separate agenda for the meeting.

The Academics for Action and Development (AAD) is in strong disapproval of this meeting to to impose IoE. It claims of this conference as a hastily taken step to get the agenda put forward by the authority rubber stamped. Calling it as another arbitrary action violating the rules and regulations of DU, Richa Raj, Co Press Secretary, AAD, said, “As per the DU statutes, the Registrar is the ex-officio Member-Secretary of EC and authorised to convene the meeting. When there is no Registrar in the university, how can this meeting be convened? The membership of Five statutory university officials and three elected members from the court are also vacant and such a truncated EC can not alter the nature and structure of DU, which IoE intends to do.”

As per AAD the implementation of the new economic policy (NEP) has already begun and the imposition of the IoE is just an attempt for its implementation in a complete and organised manner. The Vice Chancellor (VC) paying no regard to the grievances of teachers in context to the absorption and promotion with counting of ad hoc experience, inspite of their month long struggle is just absorbed in the attempts aiming at privatization of higher education in India.

SBN Tiwary, Co Press Secretary, AAD, informed, “The DU is going to implement the Board of Governors (BOG) ruled autonomous structure within the DU in the name of “Eminence”, where this institute would receive a grant of Rs. 1000 Crore in ten years from the center directly and their matters will never see the critical scrutiny of EC, AC and Finance Committee (FC). It is interesting to note that the IITs under this scheme have received only Rs. 48 Crore in two years out of the sanctioned Rs. 1000 Crores.”

Some of the significant consequences that the implementation of the IoE will include the diversion of attention from the faculty and stake holders of the university, which will cause only a parallel structure to receive the entire limelight and government patronage. AAD predicts that after a few years even the BOG governed parallel structure will be left on it’s own terms of grants and maintenance.

Rajib Ray, President, Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), expressing his views about the same, said, “The DUTA stands categorically opposed to the DU VC’s hasty and authoritarian move to pawn away the University’s future by submitting a proposal for the Institution of Eminence (IoE) status without seeking discussion or prior statutory approval in the Academic Council and Executive Council.” In its official press statement, DUTA mentioned that though the VC called the eminent meeting to seek formal approval for the IoE, he didn’t provide the statutory authorities with the time to make up their minds and debate the implications of the proposal.

The proposal is nothing but a clear cut blueprint for steady commercialisation of the university through an undertaking to start self finance courses and full online degree programs. Rajinder Singh, Secretary, DUTA, further informed of the proposal undertaking to hike students fees and employing 20 percent foreign faculty, on an incentive based differential pay structure. DUTA warns the VC from going ahead with a proposal that alters the character and dilutes the core priorities of Delhi University. Further, the proposal binds DU in an obligation to raise 95 crore rupees towards meeting recurring expenses like salaries and 350 crore rupees towards non-recurring capital expenditure by 2025.

“None of these provisions have been discussed in the Academic or Executive Council. In fact, the proposal attempts to replace these existing statutory bodies by an ‘independent’ Governing Council that has no elected representation of teachers, students or karamcharis. None of the representative bodies of these primary stakeholders have been consulted while drawing up this draconian proposal,” was revealed by Mr. Ray.

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Kriti  Gupta

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DU Teachers Object to Recruit Foreign Faculty

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Delhi University Teachers, raise objection against the Institute of Eminence(IoE) proposal, for proposing to recruit foreign faculty at competitive salaries, for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Objections have been raised by Teachers along with Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), against the Institute of Eminence (IoE) proposal, as the Varsity has proposed to recruit foreign faculty on “competitive salaries” with the existing faculty. Members of the Executive Council (EC) raised the issue recently after receiving the proposal for the same.

Abha Dev Habib, Office Bearer, DUTA told DU Beat, “As per the UGC Regulations on Graded Autonomy it has became clear that the differential pay needed to maintain foreign faculty will have to be generated by the institutions. This means that in order to run such programmes or centers, the fees will be enhanced sharply. Also differential pay for the same work is discrimatory. This will demoralise our own researchers and teachers. We also fear that in order to maintain rating and ranking, institutions may be forced to hire foreign faculty even in the disciplines/ areas where experts are available amongst our own people. With a large number of researchers and teachers waiting in queue for permanent jobs, this replacement will not be welcomed. This was also one of the major concerns put forth in the report by the Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Standing Committee against the Foreign Education Providers Bill, 2013.”

Delhi University was awarded the IoE in September 2019, by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), thus making it eligible for a Government grant of INR 1000 crore. Teachers objected to the proposal, stating the possible encouragement of privatisation and contractualisatijon of employees. This new issue comes in the background of an existing protest by DUTA, who have been demanding absorption of ad hocs since the previous two months.

EC member Rajesh Jha said to Hindustan Times, “The administration says that IOE has been brought in to improve rankings of the Varsity. Why not work on the lopsided existing teacher-student ratio to improve that? There is no mention of absorbing teachers who have been working for years or even that of promotions and appointments.”

Rajib Ray, President, Delhi University’s Teachers’ Association (DUTA), said to Hindustan Times,“The proposal, if followed, will create an arbitrary pay structure, push for contractualisatijon, and create space for favouritism. Indian teachers are excelling in all fields and there is high unemployment in our country. In such a scenario, why would we want faculty members from other countries when we have enough qualified teachers?”

He added, “The entire proposal was submitted without discussion and the approval of statutory bodies. It will change the existing structure and character of the University.”

The IoE grant to be used for foreign faculty does very little for the various departments and colleges of the University. The foreign faculty would be hired as per the market demand, and their salaries may differ, and will not even result to job creation for our own struggling teachers, in times of recession.

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Anandi Sen

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DUTA Releases Information About Ad-hoc Teachers and their Working in Recent Survey

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Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) recently revealed a survey done on around 700 ad-hoc teachers, highlighting their demographic profiles and working conditions to revalidate ‘One-Time Absorption’ as the only way to alleviate the young teachers and their conditions. 

 

In a press statement released on 5th February 2020, DUTA revealed information about the demographic profiles and working conditions of the ad-hoc teachers of the University. According to the survey, over 4500 teachers at the University of Delhi are working on an ad-hoc or temporary basis, as permanent appointments haven’t taken place in over a decade. All the ad-hoc teachers fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria as per UGC regulations. 80% have higher qualifications and 88% are NET qualified. Nearly half the respondents have worked in one institution – this suggests that institutions are satisfied with the performance of the teachers and are benefitting from the contributions these teachers make to the academic and corporate life of the institutions. The data also shows that most Ad-hoc teachers are only able to pursue academic activities at great cost – without any leave or only during vacations, and nearly 25% are unable to pursue any academic activity at all.   

 

“Recruitment was done sporadically in two brief periods, first in 2014-15 and then in 2017, in few colleges/departments. The recruitment process, which started because of a High Court Order of December 2016, was brought to a complete halt because of the 5 March 2018 UGC notification for the implementation of Department/Subject-wise roster. It took over a year for the issue to get resolved. However, meanwhile, all advertisements for permanent appointments over 2700 posts lapsed. The change in screening criteria and recruitment process as per UGC Regulations 2018 now threatens the prospects of a vast majority of these teachers,” the Statement read. 

 

The ad-hoc teachers have the same qualifications as permanent teachers- fulfilling all the requisite academic qualifications like NET/JRF, M Phil, PhD, Post-doctorate etc. from prestigious Universities of India and abroad, and having teaching experience for years- and perform the same functions in their colleges and institutions as permanent teachers, and still, are denied job security. They receive no facilities like annual increments, medical benefits, maternity leaves, etc. and the duration of their tenure depends largely on the whims of the administration of their institutions, as stated by the press release. “This is also reflected in the findings as women constitute 57% of the workforce and most of them are either unable to plan their families or face extreme hardship during their pregnancies. Many are forced to leave their job – this is not reflected in the survey as only those who were able to get back their job figure in the survey.”

 

DUTA and the University’s teachers have been agitating for over 2 months now to press for demands related to their service conditions, including pensions, promotions, and permanency in jobs, claiming that these policies stand in stark violation of not only the Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Delhi but also of UGC Regulations which have stipulated maximum 10% for such vacancies and also go against the spirit of various court judgements and violates the fundamental rights of the affected teachers including the right to equal wage for equal work. “Various State Governments have initiated such processes of regularization for teachers in their State Universities through notified executive orders. Even the Government of NCT, Delhi, through the Governing Bodies in the colleges maintained by the Delhi Government, has shown willingness towards the process of regularization: many of these Governing Bodies have passed resolutions recommending a one-time absorption of all working temporary/ad-hoc teachers which now needs sanction from the UGC and the MHRD. In 2009, the UGC had asked Universities/Institutes to absorb UGC Research Scientists working in the units.

 

Today, when over 50% population is below the age of 25 years, it is important to strengthen public funded educational institutions. Infrastructure development and maintaining adequate teachers’ number are essential for quality education. It is important that University and its colleges, which serve lakhs of students from across the country, are stabilized through permanent faculty,” DUTA said. 

 

DUTA recommends that the UGC should frame a specific Regulation as a one-time measure for the absorption of the temporary/ad-hoc teachers in the University: a provision for teachers to be absorbed against vacancies which are approved and earmarked according to the DoPT Reservation Roster for teaching positions. Their ongoing struggle has led to the MHRD to recognize that no adhoc teacher be removed until permanent recruitment is done.

 

Feature image credits: Satviki Sanjay for DU Beat

Shreya Juyal

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