DUTA Press Release, 07.06.2016

More than 3000 teachers turned up to pack the auditorium of SGTB Khalsa College to express their utmost dismay at the complete disdain shown by the MHRD and UGC towards the future of lakhs of teachers across the country. Most shocking is the absolute lack of concern for the quality of education in public funded institutions. The empty promises made by the MHRD and the UGC about no loss of jobs or retrenchment are exposed by their reluctance to give a written assurance that tutorials and practicals with full weightage would be part of the direct teaching hours. Neither was the Chairperson, UGC, willing to concede anything on the issue of the roll-back of the PBAS/API. This shows how the UGC has been reduced to a body devoid of any powers to take decisions regarding higher education unless given a nod by the Government. It becomes clear that the Government is not at all serious about finding a quick resolution to the demands of the protesting teachers.

The General Body Meeting decided unanimously that teachers were left with no option but to continue with the evaluation boycott till the 11th of June, when the DUTA Extended Executive will meet to review the situation. The General Body also decided to take out a Protest Rally on Friday, 10 June, 2016, to the MHRD, wearing black sashes around their heads to highlight the crisis in higher education.

The DUTA General Body also adopted a Resolution expressing its condemnation of the letter dated 3 June 2016 issued by the UGC to all universities that excludes posts of Associate Professors and Professors from the purview of OBC reservations at entry level. This further exposes the Government’s anti-social justice agenda. The General Body reiterated the demand that OBC reservations as well as SC/ ST reservations be applied at all entry points for teachers.

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