The results of Delhi University students are likely to get delayed as the Delhi University Teacher’s Association on Tuesday decided to carry on with their agitation against the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Ministry of Human Resource and Development (HRD), in its General Body Meeting (GBM).
The DUTA has further extended its boycott of evaluation till June 11.
“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 weight 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,” said Nandita Narain, president of DUTA.
Thousands of teachers gathered to attend the GBM at SGBT Khalsa College, where they expressed “utmost dismay” against the MHRD and UGC.
The DUTA said the UGC has been reduced to a body “devoid of any powers” to take any 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 June 11, when the DUTA Extended Executive will meet to review the situation,”Narrain added in a statement.
The DUTA General Body has also decided to take out a protest rally on Friday to the MHRD, wearing black sashes around their heads to highlight the “crisis in higher education”.
Condemning the UGC’s letter to all universities that “excludes posts of Associate Professors and Professors from the purview of OBC reservations at entry level” the DUTA General Body alleged that it exposed the Government’s anti-social justice agenda. The General Body also reiterated the demand that OBC reservations as well as SC/ ST reservations be applied at all entry points for teachers.