Varsity exams unaffected by teachers’ stir

We directed the teachers to supervise the examinations, but they are not to mark their attendance. The boycott of exam work is a different form of protest. MADHU PARANJAPE, Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers’ Unions

MUMBAI: Despite the ongoing ‘cease-work’ protest by college teachers across Maharashtra, the University of Mumbai (MU) managed to conduct examinations on Thursday without any hiccup.

As announced by the Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers’ Unions (MFUCTU), an umbrella body of teachers’ associations across the state, the protesting teachers reported for exam-related duties, even though they refused to mark themselves as ‘present’.

“We directed the teachers to supervise the examinations, but they are not to mark their attendance. The boycott of exam work is a different form of protest,” said Madhu Paranjape from MFUCTU.

The teachers started their strike from September 25 over the filling up of vacant posts, implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission according to University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines and equal wages for equal work, among other demands.

While the state education minister Vinod Tawde had given some assurances, they wanted the chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, to intervene in the matter.

While MU officials were concerned that the protest will affect the examinations, with the varsity having had written to the state seeking a swift resolution of the teachers’ demands, they are now relieved.

“All the examinations were conducted smoothly,” said Vinod Malale, public relations officer, examination department, MU.

Vitthal Shivankar, principal, KBP College, Vashi, said, “Only 19 of our 117 teachers are on strike. We didn’t face any problems during the examination.”

On Thursday, more than 1,000 students appeared for 31 repeat examinations, including seven science and technology, 17 commerce and management and three humanities tests.

The regular examinations will start on October 24.