DUTA withdraws evaluation boycott

NEW DELHI: The Delhi University teachers’ association (DUTA) on Monday decided to withdraw the evaluation boycott after over a month of protest.

Teachers led by the DUTA had been boycotting evaluation process since May 8 to oppose a University Grants Commission’s notification on the formula to calculate reservation in teaching jobs that teachers fear would impact the representation of SC/ST candidates in colleges.

“The DUTA had always tried to ensure that examination results are declared on time so that the interests of students are not hurt,” said DUTA president Rajib Ray. DUTA said it has decided to take forward its agitation through alternative modes in the interest of students. “It appeals to all teachers to contribute their best in ensuring that the results are declared on time,” DUTA said in a statement.

The UGC’s order, which followed an Allahabad high court directive that was upheld by the SC, rules that to calculate quotas for SC and ST, every university department be considered a separate unit. At present, the university is treated as a single unit.

However, the government has already a SLP to roll back the new system but teachers say it had resulted in the appointment process being put on hold. DUTA had on Sunday claimed that VC Yogesh Tyagi, in a meeting with some representatives, had assured them the university will try to get all working ad-hoc faculty continued in the new session subject to the impending SC hearing of 2 July, 2018.

The VC had not responded to text and call seeking his comment

DU registrar Tarun Das, however, said no assurance was given or could be given by the VC regarding continuation of ad-hoc teachers in the new session.