Teachers call strike over UGC proposals

I think it is a very good move by the UGC. This should implement asap to improve the academic standard in the universities. Why teachers are opposing it, if they are sincere and dedicated to their profession, they should welcome it. Abdul Jabbar Khan Ph.D (physics)-1989 Albany, NY A strike on Saturday called by central university teachers across the country forced Delhi University (DU) colleges to postpone internal examinations slated for that day. The strike was called in protest against the University Grants Commission (UGC) meet on Saturday to decide on the teachers’ service conditions based on the Thyagarajan committee recommendations. The Federation of Central Universities Teachers’ Associations (FEDCUTA), which has called the strike, said the teachers felt betrayed. FEDCUTA president Aditya Narayan Mishra, who is also the chief of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association ( DUTA), said: “The UGC had assured that the proposed service conditions would be suitably amended. But now it is going ahead with the meeting without consulting the teachers. It is going to adopt the retrograde service conditions recommended by the Thyagarajan committee.” The recommendations enlisted several criteria for promotion of teachers under the career advancement scheme, which includes an academic performance indicator and weightage points. Based on these parameters the teachers would have to earn points for their promotion. The teachers will earn 150 points for their performance – teaching, familiarity with up – todate teaching material and participation in external/internal examination work. Another 50 points will be awarded for contribution to professional activity by dint of being members on different boards of studies and higher education committees. Besides, they will get 10 points for writing in research publications (journals); 20 points for publishing books or chapters in books by international publishers; 20 points for participation in seminars, conferences and workshops; and 15-20 points for recognition atinternational, national and regional level. Moreover, they will get 10 points for responsibilities such as vice-principal, dean, director, warden or bursar. Membership to professional associations would fetch five points. Awards from accredited international and national associations carry 50 points, while recognitions like a Padmashri or anything from international organisations such as Unesco would fetch another 50 points. Presidents of FEDCUTA affiliates from Aligarh Muslim University, Allahabad University, Assam University, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi University said the parameters for promotion were baseless.