Confusion Prevails Among Mumbai’s Degree College Teachers On 100% Attendance Rule

Mumbai: Several teachers associated with the degree colleges in Mumbai are confused about attending college from Monday.

On Friday, a government resolution (GR) issued by the department of higher and technical education had mandated 100 per cent attendance for all teachers associated with universities and affiliated, autonomous and self-financed colleges, for the smooth conduct of the final-year exams in degree colleges between October 1 and 31.

The results need to be declared by November first week and for the whole process, teachers and non-teaching staff will be required on a large scale, it had added. The order, however, did not mention when the teachers would have to report to duty.

Following this, over 2,000 teachers from Mumbai, who are against the GR, had endorsed a letter written by Bombay University and College Teachers Union (BUCTU) to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Mumbai University and College Teachers Association (MUCTA) has written to state’s Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Uday Samant. “If students are going to give exams from home, what will the teachers do in colleges? At a time when Covid-19 cases are rising, isn’t the government thinking of teachers’ lives?” MUCTA president Vaibhav Narawade asked.

However, BUCTU has instructed all teachers under its banner to refrain from reporting to colleges on Monday, as the University of Mumbai is yet to issue a circular to its colleges in accordance with the GR. “We have drafted a letter for teachers, who will send the same to colleges that insist on asking them to report for duty,” The Indian Express quoted BUCTU general secretary Madhu Paranjpe as saying.

“Since online teaching is underway and final-year exams will also be held online, there is no justification to call all staffers to colleges. It violates the health directives of the State Disaster Management Authority. This will only result in further spread of Covid-19. Teachers in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have come out against the GR, as have teachers from other universities,” said BUCTU president G B Raje, reported TIE.