Thiruvananthapuram: Consequent to the revision of workload of college teachers, the state government has sanctioned 721 new teaching posts in aided arts and science colleges run by community organizations and minority groups.
The government has sanctioned several new programmes in aided arts and science colleges prior to 2016-17. However, corresponding teaching faculty were not sanctioned in many colleges. Besides, the required number of faculty were not sanctioned in 10 new arts and science colleges in the state, a government order issued on December 30 said.
Following several rounds of discussions, the government has fixed the minimum teaching workload for faculty in colleges and universities in line with the UGC regulations.
According to the government decision, which ignited widespread protests from teachers’ unions with allegiance to the parties in government and opposition, workload of 16 hours of teaching per week, excluding PG weightage, was made mandatory for assistant professors.
Following protests, the government further clarified that the faculty whose appointments have been approved prior to June 2020, in posts with lessor workload, would continue for the time being, but would cease to exist on retirement, resignation, transfer or arising of vacancy in any other manner.
“Managers (of aided colleges) shall fill all teaching posts in their colleges, including the newly-created ones, strictly in accordance with the government orders,” the order said.
While pro-CPM teachers’ organizations in aided colleges welcomed the government decision, pro-Congress organizations accused the government for debilitating the sector by adopting new workload formula, which according to them did cost around 3,000 teaching posts.