DU Protest: UGC To Amend Teacher Engagement Rules

New Delhi: In a relief to the ad-hoc teachers of Delhi Unversity, the Centre on Thursday said it will ask UGC to amend recruitment rules which could pave the way for their appointment against vacant teaching positions.

The Ministry of Human Resource and Development in a late evening statement said the ‘UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges… 2018′ shall be amended giving a level-playing field to the ad-hoc teachers.

The statement was released after representatives from Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) met HRD Ministry officials to protest the Delhi University’s decision to give preference to guest faculties over them for engagement on a temporary basis.

The Ministry’s decision came as a relief to the 4500 ad-hoc teachers who had boycotted classes for the last two days and had been protesting in front of the university Vice Chancellor’s office.

The statement said that the faculty appointed and working on ad-hoc, temporary or contractual basis shall be shortlisted for interview provided he/she has met the eligibility criteria.

“It is expected that with the above changes, all the ad-hoc, temporary and contract teachers with requisite eligibility, and have taught or have been teaching in the current academic session in the universities, institutes or colleges would be shortlisted for the interview for permanent positions,” the statement added.

As per a news report, DUTA is not fully satisfied with the changes proposed by the Ministry in the recruitment rules. It felt not all ad-hoc teachers would be eligible for appointments. It has demanded that the August 28 circular issued by Delhi University be withdrawn in view of the Ministry’s decision.