DU teachers’ body marches against autonomy to colleges
Members of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association on Friday took out a march and staged a protest outside the office of vice chancellor Yogesh K Tyagi at vice regal lodge in north campus against granting autonomy to colleges under the varsity.
The teachers demanded that the V-C immediately dismantle a committee on autonomy that has been formed by the varsity.
Armed with placards and posters, the protesters said autonomy was a way to “dismantle DU” and a move towards privatization.
A college, after attaining autonomous status, ceases to be a part of Delhi University. Autonomy comes with a bunch of perks for colleges, like they are free to take their own decisions in framing syllabus, fee structure and starting new college branches. In November 2016, the UGC had notified that provision for autonomy had been incorporated in their new guidelines for DU and its constituent colleges.
St Stephen’s College had recently decided to apply for autonomy during a governing body meet. The decision was later withdrawn, after protests from teachers and students.
After the UGC notification, DU had formed a committee with representatives of six colleges — includingStephen’s,Hansrajand Sri Venkateshwara — and called for discussion on the issue.
“At the behest of the PMO, the MHRD and the UGC, an all out attempt to disintegrate the federal structure the university is being made. The Delhi University Act provides for constituent colleges only. However, some colleges are still trying to become autonomous,” said Aditya Narayan Misra, political science teacher at Sri Aurobindo College.
Meanwhile, at St Stephen’s College, the staff association submitted a petition to college principal John Varghese on Friday asking whether a decision to rescind the decision taken on seeking autonomy taken during the staff association meeting of March 3 has been conveyed to the governing body.