The Akhil Bhartiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) has opposed the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 which brings about drastic changes in the Odisha Universities Act, 1989.
In a statement, Mahasangha national executive council member Dr Narayan Mohanty said that soon after the Central Government formulated the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 with emphasis on institutional autonomy, the State Government promulgated the ordinance curtailing the autonomy of the universities.
“How can the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) conduct interview every year for recruitment to the teaching posts of universities, when it is unable to conduct examinations for appointment to the OAS, OJS, OES cadres regularly,” wanted to know Dr Mohanty. By doing away with the Senate, which is an integral part of a university, the Government has shown its undemocratic attitude, he alleged.
As per Article 10(i) of the ordinance, the Syndicate would consist of two Professors each from the autonomous and non-autonomous colleges affiliated to the concerned university.
Commenting on this, Dr Mohanty said, “In reality, there is no post of Professor in any autonomous and non-autonomous colleges in Odisha, and therefore, this article is nothing but an attempt to ridicule the college teachers of the State.”
Describing teachers and institutional autonomy as the essence of quality education, research and innovation, Dr Mohanty has appealed to the State Government to withdraw the ordinance.