part-timers' perception
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 18:
Observing that the recent termination of 466 part-time lecturers has further aggravated the shortages of lecturers in colleges, All Manipur UGC Lectureship Eligibles' Association (AMULEA) has drawn the attention of the State authorities on inevitability of filling up the vacant posts to facilitate normal functioning of the colleges and to ensure uninterrupted academic calendar.
The association also prevailed upon the part-timers to introspect its concept of demand regularisation of their part-time posts.
In a statement issued today, AMULEA also urged for a fair and transparent appointment process through the MPSC in order to check corrupt practice and nepotism as well as provide equal opportunity to all the eligible candidates.
Highlighting that education, including higher education, is in the concurrent list of the Constitution that restricts a state from formulating rules and regulations regarding appointments which contravenes the Union rules and regulations formulated by the UGC, the lecturers' body cautioned the State authorities against violating the set rules which could invoke serious penalty in the form of ceasing financial assistance from the UGC.
Further referring to a recent Supreme Court decree banning regularisation of part-time appointees or any other temporary appointments, AMULEA opined that regularisation of 108 part-time lecturers under the then State Policy formed a 'class' of part-timer lecturers.
The fact that 50 percent of the posts were reserved for the part-timers followed by another 30 percent quota for SC/ST candidates, the Association highlighted that exceeding 50 percent of reserved seats is violation of Article 16(4) of the Constitution.
Moreover the said appointment contradicts the State Policy as only six ST candidates figured among the 108 appointees, alleged the Association apart from contending that among the appointees (part-timers) include close relatives of the then Education Minister.
Pointing out humanitarian aspects of the termination issue, AMULEA described as sectarian and feudal State Government's adamant stance to fervent pleas of the sacked part-timers for justice and equality.
While opposing victimisation of the par-time lecturers on ground that their posts were not regularised, the Association said taking into account meagre return for their service the part-timers' salary should have been justifiable in accordance to their working hours.
It, however, said 'asking for regularisation as a compensation for their service in the posts they so voluntarily joined in unjustifiable'.
Expressing strong resentment of colleges made to suffer from shortage of teachers, the Association said it had submitted memoranda to the Central and State authorities demanding immediate filling up of the vacant posts through the MPSC.
In its memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister AMULEA suggested rationalisation of lecturers' posting in consonance with teacher-pupil ratio.