Here’s why DU teachers are out on the streets again

It’s been nearly two weeks since teachers in Delhi University refused to check the answer sheets of students. The teachers are protesting against University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new regulation that requires varsities to adjust their workload.

It’s been nearly two weeks since teachers in Delhi University refused to check the answer sheets of students. By boycotting the evaluation process, the teachers are protesting against University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new regulation that requires varsities to adjust their workload. Wearing black bands, they are out on the street on Friday to march from Mandi House to the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Here’s why they want the amendment withdrawn.

Teachers say the UGC regulation will ultimately bring down the number of teachers required for the same amount of work. Nearly 4,000 ad-hoc teachers in DU may be out of work. (HT PHOTO)

1. Direct teaching hours: The regulation says teachers are required to put in 40 teaching hours in a week, which include classroom teaching, practicals, invigilation and all academic activities. Out of these, 16 hours for an assistant professor and 14 hours for an associate professor/professor have to be direct teaching hours (time spent in classroom). Earlier, tutorials were included in the direct teaching hours. But no longer.

Teachers say removing tutorials from the direct teaching hours will defeat the purpose. Tutorials are classes where students are divided in small groups and taught. The close interaction between a teacher and students will be over. Hence, it will impact the quality of teaching.

2. Tutorials should be held separately: UGC wants teachers to provide a total of six hours of tutorials in a week over and above the teaching hours. Teachers have opposed it as it will increase their workload. Adding six hours will take their time spent with students up to 22 hours for an assistant professor and 19 hours for an associate professor/professor.

4. The Academic Performance Indicator (API): The point system which determines the promotion of teachers to be considered from 2008. Teachers say API was notified in 2010 and implemented in DU only in 2013. So it’s not possible for them to show points since 2008.

6. Student feedback made part of the API system: Introducing student feedback will destroy the objectivity of the system, teachers claim. They fear then quality of teaching will not be the only basis of feedback.

7. Publishing papers only in journals recognised by UGC: Awarding points to teachers only on the basis of papers published only in UGC recognised journals will create more problems than solutions, they say.