Nagpur: Stung by Nagpur University’s crackdown on the colleges operating sans teachers and infrastructure, the Principals’ Forum members strongly protested its move while stressing on relaxation from stringent conditions.
Led by chairman Baban Taywade, a delegation of about 35 principals also expressed strong opposition to NU’s move to implement 50:50 pattern, where colleges would be equally sharing the examination burden.
Vice chancellor SP Kane remained undeterred by their pressure tactics and told them that they need to appoint at least one regular teacher irrespective of their actual requirement. He also rejected their demand to defer implementation of 50:50 pattern, making it clear that NU had already postponed it last year on their request.
TOI, on June 5, reported about how politicians and education barons are pressurizing the NU top brass on lifting the ban, as majority of 248 banned colleges/courses belonged to them.
“For over two hours, they were stressing on relaxing the ban along with other set of demands. But we refused all as we had already intimated them last year in July to appoint at least one full-time teacher. When they can admit hundreds of students and charge hefty fees, why can’t they appoint a teacher? Ideally, they should appoint as per the students:teachers ratio prescribed by the UGC,” Kane said.
An upset Taywade accused NU of meting out injustice on private colleges. “We requested them to at least allow us to operate till expiry of affiliation. We’re still operating as per July 24, 2014, notification by NU, floated after ‘250 banned colleges’ controversy. It was submitted in the high court and never cancelled till date. Still, NU came up with new norms without intimation. We charge meagre fees from the students and it’s not possible for us to pay huge salaries of regular teachers,” he said.
Chancellor’s nominee on Management Council Milind Barahate was also part of the delegation which met the VC. NU has banned admissions to as many as 12 courses of his CP and Berar College, where he was working. “We don’t have any problems with NU banning 98 colleges which didn’t invite Local Enquiry Committees (LECs) and other 82 which didn’t allot dates to LEC after inviting it. We’ve problem with latest list of 82 colleges where admissions to courses were banned, despite having affiliation till next couple of years,” he said.
He denied that he would lodge a complaint with chancellor Ch Vidyasagar Rao stating that he had full faith in VC and pro-VC, who responded positively.
The VC also denied their other demands, including generator sets during examinations and increase in allowance they get from NU in lieu of examinees.