Delhi University teachers end evaluation boycott for final year students

Delhi University teachers who have been boycotting evaluation of undergraduate examinations for last 20 days in protest against new UGC norms, on Thursday decided to resume the exercise for final year students.

Delhi University teachers who have been boycotting evaluation of undergraduate examinations for last 20 days in protest against new UGC norms, on Thursday decided to resume the exercise for final year students.

Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) members during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Tuesday.(PTI Photo)

A decision in this regard was taken at a General Body (GB) meeting of the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA).

“The teachers today decided to end the boycott for final year students (FYUP batch). However, we will continue to boycott the evaluation for first and second year students. The same will be applicable for ongoing admission process and staff council meetings,” a DUTA statement said.

The teachers have been boycotting evaluation of UG examinations since May 24 in protest against amendments to UGC regulations that, they argue, will lead to job-cuts to the tune of 50 per cent and drastically decrease pupil-teacher ratio in higher education.

The new gazette notification has increased the workload for assistant professors from 16 hours of “direct teaching” per week (including tutorials) to 18 hours, plus another six of tutorials, bringing the total up to 24 hours. Similarly the work hours of associate professors have been increased from 14 to 22.

Terming it to be an “unethical” mode of protest, students had urged the teachers to end the boycott fearing delay in results.

The varsity authorities had also urged the teachers to resume the exercise saying “any further delay can jeopardies the career of students and also adversely affect the reputation of the university”.

The teachers, however, decided to continue with their protest and also boycott the ongoing UG admission process.

The GB decided to continue with boycott till June 20 following which the executive will decided the future course of action.

The teachers will also take out a candle light vigil on Saturday evening demanding HRD ministry rolls back the decision.

Yesterday, Higher Education Secretary V S Oberoi said the direct teaching work load has been restored to 16, 14, 14 hours per week for Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors respectively. This was done through necessary amendments to the UGC norms. PTI GJS RCJ RG RCJ