NEW RULES for availing winter vacation has put King George’s Medical University (KGMU) faculty in a dilemma. The number of days of leave has been reduced and attendance has been made compulsory once the leave got over.
As per the new rules—made known to faculty through a circular from the VC’s office—teachers cannot club casual leave with winter vacations to extend holidays by a day or two.
Winter vacations, as per old rules, were divided into two parts. From December 15 till 31 in the first phase and the second part comprised the period from January 1 to 15. Thus, half the faculty availed their holiday in the first part while another half in the second. The arrangement was with a view to keeping the hospital and academic activities running while the teachers were away. As per the new rules, the first schedule would end on December 29 while the second would begin on January 2, instead of January 1. This has cut short the holiday by a day on each schedule.
Moreover, it has been demanded in the circular that teachers of both groups remained on duty from December 29 to January 2, so that nothing went wrong in the period. The new rules have not gone down well with the teachers as the usual practice was to extend holidays by a day or two on mutual consent.
{{/usCountry}}Moreover, it has been demanded in the circular that teachers of both groups remained on duty from December 29 to January 2, so that nothing went wrong in the period. The new rules have not gone down well with the teachers as the usual practice was to extend holidays by a day or two on mutual consent.
{{/usCountry}}Anyone who availed leave in the first schedule returned either on December 31 or January 1, while taking another day off.
Teachers are upset but no one is ready to take up the matter with the administrative authorities. Neither has the teachers’ association taken up the issue in the past couple of months, nor any of the senior teachers.
“The rules seem strict. Who would dare to raise voice against the vice chancellor when it is sure that nothing would come out of it,” said a senior faculty member.