Stephen’s autonomy row: Teachers threaten to resign from admin posts

NEW DELHI: A section of St Stephen’s teachers has threatened to resign from their administrative posts against the college’s Governing Body’s decision to seek autonomy even as students staged a protest on Wednesday opposing the institute’s move. Amidst protest from the students, The GB had last week decided to go ahead with the proposal to seek autonomy for the institution. A teacher, who is also a member of the staff association said the GB meeting where the decision to seek autonomy was taken was called in an “undemocratic manner”.

“The decision was taken despite dissent of four members. The staff association of the college has decided that teachers will resign from the administrative positions they are holding on non-remunerative basis,” he said. The GB is an 18-member body comprising teachers, members of the church and other elected representatives. Principal John Varghese claimed the decision will not affect the students and teachers as the minority status already gives autonomy. But the students staged a protest outside his office demanding “proper consultations” with various stakeholders. The principal did not comment on the teachers’ threat to resign. With the Centre announcing provisions for more autonomy for educational institutions across the country in the annual budget, the DU had earlier this month formed a committee to look into the demand of autonomy or university status from its colleges. Colleges like SRCC, St Stephen’s, Ramjas and the ones run by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee had approached the DU and HRD officials seeking greater autonomy and decisionmaking powers.