Delhi University Teachers Refuse To Check Papers, Ask Students To Understand

New Delhi: To address Delhi University students' concern about their results being delayed in wake of the evaluation boycott by teachers, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) today urged students to understand their position and need for the agitation.

"We understand your anxiety about the likely delay in results caused by the evaluation boycott protest of teachers and we have also received your requests to withdraw this particular form of protest," DUTA President Nandita Narain said in an open letter to students.

"Let me assure you that we are equally keen to get back to evaluation and to work overtime to bring out your results at the earliest. Please also understand that the majority of evaluators are precisely these ad-hoc and temporary teachers, who stand disengaged from employment as a result of the gazette notification," the letter said.

The teachers have been boycotting evaluation of undergraduate exams since May 24 in protest against amendments to UGC regulations that, they argue, will lead to job-cuts to the tune of 50 per cent and drastically decrease pupil-teacher ratio in higher education.

"Legally, they cannot be asked to evaluate University scripts, when they are no longer employed by the university. Without them, it would be impossible to complete the evaluation process and declare results within a reasonable time.

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"The ongoing battle against degradation of public-funded higher education cannot be won without active participation by students. In particular, to ensure the early resumption of evaluation, students must put pressure on the MHRD and Government in every way possible, to give a clear written assurance that their negative decision has been reversed," the letter said.

The new gazette notification has increased the workload for assistant professors from 16 hours of "direct teaching" per week (including tutorials) to 18 hours, plus another six of tutorials, bringing the total up to 24 hours. Similarly the work hours of associate professors have been increased from 14 to 22.

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Following protests, the HRD ministry had directed UGC to review the same. The commission had on Sunday organised consultations on the issue with various stake holders including representatives of teachers associations from across the country.

The protesting teachers had, however, claimed that the consultations did not yield any results.