DUTA Letter to Staff Associations reg. Ongoing Movement on the issue of 12 DU Colleges : 29.03.2021

The President/Secretary/Office Bearers

Staff Association

_________________

_______________

29.3.2021

Dear colleagues,

We thank Staff Associations for mobilising and participating in the ongoing DUTA struggle to save the 12 DU Colleges that are 100% funded by Delhi Government.

As per the decision of the DUTA Extended Executive of 20.3.21, the DU Shutdown was carried forward and supported by several mass action programmes. We wish to report that all the action programmes were carried forward with success.

The DUTA Office Bearers met the Vice Chancellor on 23.3.2021 and submitted a memorandum listing out demands on issues of these 12 colleges. Dean, Colleges and Director, South Campus were also present in the meeting. The VC and his team assured full support to the 12 colleges and to take actions as deemed to be necessary to maintain them as constituent colleges of the University. The DUTA delegation was informed that the University has already written to the Delhi Government highlighting objections to the Pattern of Assistance as it is against the rules and regulations of the University. The University has also objected to appointment of Sr AOs to the Colleges. In response to the demand that the EC passes a resolution against Pattern of Assistance, the University promised to bring the matter to the EC if the situation so warrants. The DUTA delegation was promised that the University letter to the Delhi Government on the matter of Pattern of Assistance will be circulated to the Governing Body members through the Principals. The University has not received any invitation for dialogue from the CM. The DUTA Office Bearers has urged the Vice Chancellor to take up these issues on war footing and prevent the dismemberment of the Delhi University colleges.

We appeal to Staff Associations to send concrete suggestions for the ongoing movement by 2 pm, 31.3.2021. The DUTA Extended Executive shall meet on 31.3.2021 at 3 pm to review the ongoing movement and to decide future course of action.

As you may know, the Vice Chancellor has written to Deans/Directors/Principal on 23.3.2021 to collect feedback on Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as recommended in the NEP 2020. All units (Faculties/ Institutions/ Colleges) have been asked to send in their responses by 30.3.2021.

While the email from the VC is dated 23.3.2021, it has been forwarded to teachers only in the last two days.

The HECI Regulation envisages major changes in the structure and governance of education. When a similar regulation was proposed in 2018, it was widely opposed by university and college teachers across the country, as a result of which it had been withdrawn. The new draft of this regulation should be thoroughly debated for which adequate time is required. Rushing it through in this manner is an attempt to steamroll it without even a fig leaf of a debate, which will be disastrous for all higher education institutions.

The DUTA has written to the VC in this regard (letter enclosed). The DUTA has demanded that the deadline be extended.

In view of the far-reaching consequences of NEP 2020, the DUTA calls upon teachers not to participate in any hurried exercise. The SAs should through the Principals demand more time for responses.

As the UGC and University is swiftly moving towards implementation of NEP 2020, it is important to study the recommendations of NEP. The DUTA had requested SAs through its letter dated 8 March, for feedback on NEP and FYUP.  However, because of the intense DUTA movement, SAs could not arrange their meetings to discuss NEP.

We request SAs to organise meetings and inform the DUTA Office Bearers of the same. Please find enclosed:

1. NEP 2020 – Link

2. Draft ABC Regulations – Link

3. The UGC Letter dated 26.3.2021 and the UGC Regulations 2021 on Credit Framework for Open Learning Courses through SWAYAM gazetted on 25.3.2021 which mandates inclusion of 40% courses through MOOCS. 

4. NEP mandated FYUP as circulated by the University on 20.2.2021 – Link

 

In solidarity

Warm Regards