Universities not appointing regular teachers may be derecognised

New Delhi, Apr 20 (UNI) Noting that contract and low paid teachers were affecting the quality of education the Centre today warned universties and colleges they may be derecognised or assistance to them may be stopped if they do not fill posts of regular teachers.

It has directed the state and Union Territory governments to fill the posts before the beginning of the next academic session in July-August.

In a letter to Chief Secretaries of States, Secretary Education Sandeep Bannerjee said it has been found that the vacant places are filled by contract and low paid teachers, which adveresly affects the quality of teaching.

In the absence of good teachers, institutions of repute were slipping into mediocrity, he said.

''The issue has disturbed academics all over the country and also upset UGC and the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry,'' he said.

''One extreme way of tackling this problem would be to stop further assistance to these universities and colleges which do not have regular teachers as per the norms. And even more drastic step would be that of derecognising such institutions. This is an avoidable situation, because it would unnecessarily inconvenience the students and cause dislocation of their studies,'' the letter said.

The Union Secetary suggested re-employment of superannuated teachers up to the age of 65 years as one of the options for consideration in the short term.

Alternatively, an indepenednet scheme could be developed to use the services of retired teachers, he said.

The Ministry intends to convene a meeting of the secretaries of states in charge of higher education to review the progress regarding appointment of regular teachers, the letter said.

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