Protest by DU teachers set to delay undergraduate courses’ results - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Protest by DU teachers set to delay undergraduate courses’ results

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
May 25, 2016 12:33 AM IST

Exam results of undergraduate courses in the Delhi University could be delayed this year as teachers have refused to evaluate the answer sheets in protest.

Exam results of undergraduate courses in the Delhi University could be delayed this year as teachers have refused to evaluate the answer sheets in protest against a UGC notification which increases their workload and may lead to around 5,000 temporary and guest teachers losing their jobs.

Exam results of undergraduate courses in the Delhi University could be delayed this year as teachers have refused to evaluate the answer sheets in protest.(Sushil Kumar/HT File Photo)
Exam results of undergraduate courses in the Delhi University could be delayed this year as teachers have refused to evaluate the answer sheets in protest.(Sushil Kumar/HT File Photo)

The examinations ended last week and the centralised evaluation process was to begin at 13 centres on Tuesday. But none of the 3,000 teachers on evaluation duty turned up after a boycott call by the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“The boycott is for four days. The future course of action will be decided at the general body meeting on Saturday,” said DUTA president Nandita Narain.

The association is opposing a notification by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which increased the workload of assistant professors from 16 hours of ‘direct teaching’ to 24 hours per week. For associate professors, it went up from 14 to 22 hours per week.

DUTA contends that since the course material would be covered by “overworked” professors, the move may lead to the retrenchment of temporary, guest and ad-hoc teachers.

According to the teachers’ body, the notification would also make promotions difficult. DU teachers are promoted on the basis of the infamous Academic Performance Indicator (API), which follows a point system for different parameters, including student feedback.

“The API has been made more stringent and emphasises on research. But now teachers have been assigned extra workload, leaving little time to prepare for quality lectures and research,” said Rajesh Jha, who teaches political science at Rajdhani College.

“The provision of this notification is intended to destroy public universities, leaving very little scope for quality teaching, learning and research,” he said.

The teachers blame the move on 55% cut in the government’s budget for the UGC.

A university official said the protest can delay exam results, which are usually announced by the end of June every year. “The UGC has to take a call on the issue soon otherwise our calendar will be affected,” said a senior official.

Around 3,000 teachers were scheduled to evaluate papers at 13 centres —Miranda House, Kirori Mal College, Hansraj College, Daulat Ram College, Gargi College, Kalindi College, Deshbandhu College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma, Sri Venkateswara College, Maitreyi College, Dyal Singh College and Keshav Mahavidyalaya College.

Staff associations at the Sri Ram College of Commerce, Jesus and Mary College, Miranda House, Rajdhani College and Hansraj College passed resolutions condemning the notification.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections.Watch now!

Get latest news on Education, Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Live along with Board Exam, Competitive Exam and Exam Result at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On