Aggrieved APCTA to boycott BA examinations

Staff REPORTER

ITANAGAR, May 25: The Arunachal Pradesh College Teachers Association (APCTA) on Thursday announced to boycott the scheduled BA examinations on May 27 and June 03 next as well as not to render any duty on evaluation of answer scripts of the said exams.

The decision was taken following non-fulfilment of the association’s four-point charter of demands which include immediate restoration of summer vacation, increase in the remuneration for evaluation, tabulation and other works, informed APCTA president P G Tago while addressing a news conference at Arunachal Press Club (APC) here.

Informing that APCTA has been demanding for immediate restoration of 47 days of summer vacation from the session and enhancement of remuneration for tabulation, evaluation and other confidential works in connection with various other universities Tago said that all the government colleges under RGU had been availing summer vacation of 47 days, however, the RGU authorities has for now curtailed the same to 14 without even consulting the government and teaching faculty.

“Almost all the higher education institutions of north east region allot more than 8 weeks of vacation including summer and winter vacations to the faculties but RGU is  the only varsity which is not following the same,” Tago said. 

Speaking on the demands of remuneration for evaluation, tabulation and other works, Tago further asserted that the existing payment which is being provided to the teachers affiliated to the RGU was fixed way back in 2012 and even after a gap of five years, the remuneration has not been enhanced.

“Interestingly the RGU has enhanced the amount to be collected from the students to carry out aforesaid works,” said Tago.

Further informing that according to the latest University Grant Commission (UGC) regulation, an associate professor of a government college has an option to act as a supervisor for PhD programme in congruence with other universities of India and also the right to avail exemption from test for pursuing PhD, APCTA further alleged that according to the new ordinance of RGU 2012-13 there is no provision for exemption in this regard in the entrance test.

Moreover, in previously there was a provision of part time and regular PhD scholars but in new ordinance the same has not been mentioned, stated the association.

APCTA further alleged that barring RGU, almost all the other universities of the country were giving supervisorship to its eligible college teachers as per UGC regulation and RGU was the only university which is/was reluctant to follow the regulation.

While appealing the private college’s teachers of the state to extend their support, APCTA also urged the student community to bear with situation.

However, the association also expressed its willingness to abandon the agitation if the RGU authorities were ready to look into their demands.