No DU ad-hoc teacher will lose their job: MHRD, but teachers to continue protest till all demands met

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) after an extensive meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, the Chairman, Secretary and senior of the UGC along with Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) representatives, decided that all ad hoc teachers who worked or working in the current academic year will be allowed to continue until the beginning of the next academic session or till recruitment of permanent faculty, whichever is earlier. The teachers have welcomed this move but have decided to continue boycott of evaluation, invigilation and other official duties till all their demands are met.

While the DUTA welcomed the decision to strike off the August 28 circular and the assurance that no ad hoc teacher will lose their job, it also decided to continue the strike. "Though some of our demands have been met, a lot of them have not been addressed. The amendment will save the ad hoc teachers from losing their jobs for the time being and the new EWS positions will also help open up some job opportunities," said DUTA President Rajib Ray. "But we are not withdrawing our protest as of yet. An extensive executive meeting will decide the further course of action," he said.

The UGC 'Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges' and measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education 2018, should be amended, said the MHRD after the meeting. "Provided that the faculty appointed and working on ad hoc/temporary/contract basis and meeting the eligibility criteria shall be shortlisted for interview,” reads the amendment. "Further, in the same regulation, the criteria for short-listing of candidates for interview for the post of Assistant Professor was also updated. It is expected that with the changes, all the ad hoc/temporary/contract teachers with requisite eligibility, and have taught or have been teaching in the current academic session in the university or institution would be short-listed for the interview for permanent positions," added the amended regulation.

The last paragraph of the much-discussed circular of August 28 issued by DU to all the Principals and Directors was also the main reason that sparked off the protests was finally amended. “The colleges and institutions shall fill up the permanent vacancies before the start of the next academic session without fail. During the interim period, if vacancies which have to be filled for maintaining smooth academic functioning of the institutions, ad hoc, temporary, contractual or guest faculty can be appointed," read the amendment.

"It is expected that all ad hoc teachers worked or working in the current academic year shall be continued till the beginning of the next academic session or till recruitment of permanent faculty, whichever is earlier," said the MHRD. The ministry also said that the UGC will consider communicating the additional teaching positions to be created as per the EWS scheme within 30 days. "Keeping this in view, no person working in an ad hoc position shall be removed merely on the ground of falling in the EWS roster point," said the ministry.

In accordance with Clause 6.3(VIII) of the UGC regulations and measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education 2018, the University will decide all pending promotion cases at the earliest after obtaining options from the eligible teachers," said the MHRD. "Counting of the past services for direct recruitment or promotion under CAS shall be in accordance with the UGC Regulations 2018. The University and the UGC will take action as above immediately," it added.