Coimbatore: The Association of College Teachers of Tamil Nadu (ACTA) has urged the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) to evolve a common and clear policy statement and time-bound programme of action before introducing the new concept of Unitary Universities.

In a memorandum, the general secretary of the association, A. Raja, also pleaded that it must spell out the norms and the criteria for the selection of institutions and the safeguards to be provided in favour of teachers, employees and students and against the abuse of new avenues by the vested interests in administration.

He said the association was aware of the global trends in higher education and the national level insistence on the creation of hundreds of Unitary Universities. It is also against status quo and is in favour of change and progress.

Yet the transition to a new phase should be preceded by a carefully drafted policy statement and adequate safeguards against abuse of new avenues that might jeopardise the genuine service interests of teachers and prospects of the students.

We are pained to point out that instead of evolving a policy decision and drafting a time-bound programme of creating new Unitary Universities, the State Ministry of Higher Education has selectively named some of the existing colleges viz., four Government Colleges and two Aided Colleges for being conferred with Unitary University status, and the Department of Higher Education has shown undue interest in hastening this preferential treatment to a few institutions. This over-enthusiastic move has given room for apprehensions of various dimensions.

He alleged that even under the existing university system, the Department of Higher Education had not shown the required interest or inclination in resolving issues concerning teachers, and turned a Nelson eye to disproportionate punishments awarded to teachers on flimsy charges by vindictive managements. Further, this indifference had even permitted a private management to enforce compulsory retirement on teachers, which the government itself had so far stated as impermissible in any aided college. The ACTA does not approve of any measure of appeasement, but insists on rule of law.

Hence, the ACTA, urged the TANSCHE and the Government of Tamil Nadu, to come out with a clear statement on the causes and objectives of the proposed Unitary Universities, the criteria for selecting a college for the conferment of Unitary University status, number of colleges intended to be upgraded or promoted as Unitary University within a specified period, and the legal safeguards or legal substitutes for Tamil Nadu Private Colleges Regulation Act and Rules.

In addition, there should be a legal guarantee for adherence to reservation in admission and roster in appointments and to affordable fee structures and against commercialising the avenues of higher education, without compromising on the genuine minority interests.

courtesy - Hindu