CIRCULAR NO:03/2017-18 Date:12-03-2018
Dear Friends,
Greetings from AIFUCTO.
The first meeting of the NEC after Shirdi statutory conference was held in Gandhi Peace Foundation in New Delhi on 11th March. This meeting was crucial in many ways. We are facing serious challenges in the higher education sector in the country not only in relation to our service conditions but also regarding the existence of a strong Public-Funded Education System in the country which is very much necessary for the inclusive development of the country. The UGC has released the draft UGC Regulations(Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the maintenance of Standards in Higher Education),2018 in its Public Notice No. F.1.2/2017(EC/PS) dated 9th Feb,2018. AIFUCTO has already submitted its suggestions on these. From the beginning these draft regulations were intended to be diluted as per subpara(iv) of para 16 of the appendix 1 on page 65 of the draft regulations which reads, 'This scheme may be extended to the universities, colleges and other higher educational institutions coming under the purview of state legislatures, provided state governments wish to adopt and implement the scheme.....' This option giving clause will defeat the very purpose of the UGC Pay Scales and Service conditions. It is discriminatory in nature and will divide the teachers.
Mass Memorandum Programme:
AIFUCTO submitted mass memorandum on these issues,as decided in NEC, to UGC on 12th March along with FEDCUTA and DUTA.Nine member delegation met with Chairman UGC and Other officials and discussed in length anti teacher issues in draft regulations.
Human Chain and Protest:
A human chain was formed in front of UGC office to protest against the retrograde draft regulations.Hundreds of teachers under the banner of AIFUCTO and FEDCUTA shouted slogans before UGC in favour of their demands.Teachers held a rally before the gate of UGC which was addressed by GS AIFUCTO,President and Secretary of FEDCUTA along with other important teacher leaders of the country.Most of the NEC members of AIFUCTO participated in Mass Memorandum Programme and Human Chain organised before UGC.
Charter of Demands:
The following demands were approved by the NEC in its meeting on 11th march,2018
1.The Centre must provide 100% assistance to the states for Uniform and Simultaneous implementation of 7th UGC Pay Scales across the country.
2.10% of the GDP should be allocated for education in view of the expansion of higher education in the country and for strengthening the Public-funded Education system. There should not be any kind of cut in the budgetary allocation for education.
3.The Adhoc/Part-time/Contractual/ Block Grant teachers should be given pay scales on regular basis with service conditions on the basis of the principle of equal pay for equal work as per the judgement of the Apex Court.
4.The revised pension of 7th UGC Pay Scales be notified immediately.
5.The New Pension Scheme should be rejected and the old pension scheme should be implemented to provide social security to the employees after retirement.
6- The incentives for acquiring higher degrees like PhD/MPhil must be restored.
7.The proposed HEFA, HEERA, Graded Autonomy must be withdrawn as it will lead to privatisation of Higher Education.
8.The Pay Scales of Demonstrators also be notified without further delay.
9-The anomalies of 6th UGC Pay Commission should be removed.
10.All the vacant posts should be filled on regular basis. The contractualisation of Higher Education must stop.
11.The proposal for reducing casual leave to 8days must be withdrawn. Teachers should get medical leave and academic leave.
12.Government should start dialogue with all stake holders for developing a new education policy based on the principles of Democracy, Secularism, Equity and Scientific Tempe.
Demonstration in Delhi on 3rd April:
NEC decided to organise a massive protest in New Delhi of all category of teachers from KG to PG on 3rd April,2018 against the anti-people policies in the education sector and for an education policy for the country on the basis of the principles of constitution and inclusive education. All NEC members, affiliates of AIFUCTO are requested to contact and coordinate with primary and secondary teachers in their states for this programme. Friends, this programme is very important as the country needs an Education Policy that can defend against the onslaughts of neo-liberalism on our Public-funded education system and on our service conditions. All are requested to book tickets in advance for the programme.
It was also decided in NEC that a protest will be organised before the parliament during the monsoon session of the parliament. Before that one day seize work and sit-in -Dharna will be organised by the affiliates at state capitals. The dates will be communicated later on.
Zonal Meetings:
Zonal Meetings will be held on the issues and demands of AIFUCTO. NEC members and Affiliates are requested to organise zonal meetings in every zone as earlier as possible to accelerate our movements throughout the country.
Women Cell:
NEC of AIFUCTOdecided to form a Women Cell.Each state has been requested to send minimum two names of women teacher activists to the general secretary for the constitution of the cell.
Policy Making Committee:.
NEC also decided to constitute Policy Making Committeeof AIFUCTO and the details will be communicated later.
FISE Affiliation Fee:
It was also decided to give the contributions of AIFUCTO to FISE. The meeting of the working committee of FISE is sheduled in Kolkata on 25th March.
Affiliation:
The affiliation of HUTA(Homoeopathy University Teachers’ Association), Jaipur, Rajasthan to AIFUCTO was approved in the NEC meeting.
Annual Convention of AIFRUCTO:
The annual convention of AIFRUCTO(All India Federation of Retired University and College Teachers’ Organisation) was held in Ahemadabad on 9th March. Veteran leaders like Mrinmoy Bhattacharya, Ram Singh, Kanhu Bhai Shah, Ashok Barman, G. Parthsarathy along with the General Secretary of AIFUCTOattended and addressed the convention. A delegation of Gujurat University and College Teachers Association, Principals Association, Representatives of Administration etc along with ProfArun Kumar, GS, AIFUCTO met the Hon'ble Minister, Higher Education of Gujurat to demand the implementation 7th UGC Pay Scales in the state quickly.
AIFUCTO Website:
Due to some unavoidable reason the new website of AIFUCTO is in place of aifucto.org.
Friends,
I sincerely request to all of you to make our programmes successful and to strengthen our solidarity in these crucial times. We are not only fighting for our interests only but also for an inclusive system of education for the development of the nation in an inclusive manner.
With warm greetings.
Yours friendly,
Prof.Kesab Bhattacharya Prof.Arun Kumar
President General Secretary