DUTA, Miranda House Staff Association term ouster of ad-hoc teachers illegal

As the country celebrates and awards teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, questions have  been raised about the ill-treatment of ad-hoc teachers in Delhi University. Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) and Miranda House Staff Association (MHSA) on Monday flagged the issue of sudden retrenchment of 17 ad-hoc teachers in Miranda House.

“These teachers were suddenly and arbitrarily terminated from service. This is a case of extreme injustice to them who are the most vulnerable section of the teaching community,” said Nandita Dutta, president of MHSA.

“Ad-hoc teachers were appointed according to the approved workload as per the 2013 university ordinance and the UGC gazette notification on workload norms, as well as according to the requirements of the CBCS course framework,” Dutta added.

The termination letter was served on August 29 reportedly in the absence of the principal, who had allegedly gone out of the country after signing the termination letter on August 26. The college is now headed by the acting principal.

“Removal of these teachers is illegal, arbitrary and a sign of burgeoning academic crisis in the university. We demand restoration of services of these teachers. We will intensify our protest if our demand is not met with,” said a member of DUTA.

 “A consultative committee is constituted to look into the matter,” said Purnima Roy, acting principal.