Gazetted Officer Forum in Delhi Stages Protest Over AICTE Approval Lapse and Education Reforms

A group of gazetted officers linked to technical education in Delhi gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. They criticised the previous AAP government's handling of the sector. The protestors claimed that the reforms introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party have significantly disrupted technical education in the capital. There was no immediate comment from the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) regarding these allegations.

Concerns Over DSEU Formation

In an official statement, the Gazetted Officer Forum for Technical Education accused the Delhi government of making poorly thought-out decisions, especially with the creation of DSEU. According to them, DSEU was formed overnight through a cabinet decision by merging existing government polytechnic institutes. They alleged that over a thousand employees were transferred to this new university under deemed deputation without proper consultation or formal notification.

SK Malik, president of the forum, expressed concerns about these changes. "The education revolution promoted by the AAP has proved disastrous for Delhi's technical education system. The sudden formation of DSEU has jeopardized both the future of thousands of students and the service conditions of hundreds of staff members," he stated.

Impact on Students and Staff

The protesters highlighted that DSEU has not obtained recognition from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for its diploma programmes. This lack of approval has left students ineligible for many government and private jobs, according to Malik. The forum also raised concerns about how these changes have affected both students and staff members.

The demonstration saw participation from staff across several polytechnic institutions now operating under DSEU. Protesters urged the Delhi government to take immediate corrective measures to protect the interests of students and employees. They called for the restoration of Delhi's previously well-regarded technical education system and assurances that students' futures are not compromised.

In their appeal, the forum emphasised their desire for a return to a stable and respected technical education system in Delhi. They stressed the importance of securing a promising future for students while ensuring fair treatment for staff members affected by these changes.

With inputs from PTI