The dissension between the All Manipur College Teachers`™ Association and the authorities of the government, in all indications, is not going to end soon. Although the government, through a press statement issued by its Higher & Technical Education Department on December 2, claimed that an understanding had been reached with AMCTA in a marathon meeting held with the Education minister on the same day. On the other hand, AMCTA in its latest communique to the media has denied of any agreement supposedly arrived with the government. Here, it may be recalled that government college teachers under the initiative of their association have already launched agitation against the government on various issues and demands from November 28 onwards. According to the teachers, the government has not been sincere enough towards resolving the issues that have been left unattended for a long period of time. Or at best, the issues raised by the teachers have been dealt half-heartedly. The teachers have also claimed that in spite of their repeated representations, demanding strict adherence to the guidelines of University Grants Commission in connection with recruitment of teachers; Career Advancement Schemes and other service related matters, the government has been unmoved. Besides, the recent appointment of three regular Principals by the government was not received well by the teachers`™ association. It has been charged that the appointment process was hasten up, despite the earlier demand made by AMCTA to appoint regular Principals in all 28 government colleges on one time basis.
Sticking to their stand, the teachers`™ body has been boycotting the semester exams which began from December 4. It is worth mentioning that the Higher Education department in its December 2 press statement had claimed that `AMCTA has further agreed to take all necessary actions `¦ in the proper conduct of the said Exams`. As for this column, we shall keep aside the debate vis-Ã -vis merit and demerit of the demands that the teachers have raised. The question is, if the claim made by the teachers`™ body that no understanding was reached between them and the government is true; why would the government through its department concerned issue a counter-factual public statement through the media. To put it very plainly, the Higher & Technical Education department would be the best people to throw light on the contentious statement, as they have issued the same. We might also chip in one important demand raised by the teachers`™ body; which is removal of the incumbent Commissioner of the same department for his alleged bureaucratic arrogance and contempt towards the teachers on many occasions. It seems that there has been proclivity on the part of the establishment to effusively bureaucratise the functioning of the higher education system, which is very unfortunate. Non-appointment of regular Principals in almost all the government colleges is indicative of this tendency of the government. By appointing `Principal in-charge`™ in the colleges, the government authorities are virtually robbing the right of an institutional head, who is entitled a considerable level of autonomy in academic administration in their respective institutions. There is still time for the government and the teachers to reach to an agreement on various demands – the sooner, the better. Giving rightful professional space would be a good beginning towards resolving the stalemate.
Leader Writer: Senate Kh