As many as 11 teachers are set to lose their jobs after the management of Marsooq Women’s College decided to close down the institution.Teachers and around 700 students are in protest against the management’s decision.A week ago, the management had informed the decision to close down the institution through a notification pasted on the college notice board.

After noticing it, teachers and students launched an agitation. In order to strike a compromise, the management informed the teachers and students that the college will function for the next two years and no new students will be admitted. Appeased by the decision, the teachers and students withdrew their agitation.However, teachers alleged that, on Tuesday, the administrator of the college once again informed them about the decision to sack 11 permanent teachers.

“The administrator did not allow us to take classes. He said the management has decided to sack the teachers,” said Sugatha M, political science teacher of the college. She alleged the management was planning to run the college by appointing guest teachers.“Most of the 11 teachers have an experience of over 30 years. After closing down the college, the management is planning to do other profitable business in the building,” Sugatha added.

Authorities on the backfoot

Faced with fresh protests, the college authorities have gone on the backfoot. “Due to shortage of students, the college is facing a financial crunch. So, dismissal of teachers is inevitable. However, it is for the management to take a decision on when its decision would be implemented,” college principal V Shamsudheen said. The institution offers BA, BCom and Plus II courses. The teachers have approached the court against the management’s decision to wind up the college.