IT News
Imphal, Dec. 3
The 31st AIFUCTO (All India Federation of University & College Teachers’ Organisations) Academic Conference held at Kanyakumari from 23rd to 25th November, 2018 concluded with a grand success. A team of AMCTA composed of 31 members including 5 guests attended the same and arrived Imphal today. The theme of Conference was “Towards Scientific and Equitable Education for All”. As a part of the conference a National Seminar on Education India at Crossroads : A Critical Review” was also held, nine (9) delegates from different colleges of Manipur had presented their papers on different topics. Prof M, Lokendro Singh, President AMCTA & Zonal Secretary AIFUCTO placed his views in the conference during its business session and also highlighted the issues and problems faced by the college teachers in Manipur.
The conference notes with deep concerned the : Aggressive pursuit of reforms dictated by Neo-liberal policies of the central government across all sectors including education in general and higher education in particular; Deepening of privatization and commercialization starting with self financing Institutions, autonomous colleges, private Universities and special education zones, most recent being regulations on Graded Autonomy and the Institutions of Eminence; Public funded Institutions, especially colleges, are deprived of crucial infrastructure funds from RUSA, as NAAC accreditation is mandatory-only Rs.2233 crores (43% of sanctioned Central share) was distributed by RUSA, at the end of 12th plan; Cutting down the central assistance to 50% for 39 months instead of 80% for 60 months has adversely affected uniform and simultaneous implementation of 7th UGC Pay revision in all the states etc along with others.
The conference resolves to built a strong democratic movement of teachers for demanding the following :
a. 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. That should not be any kind cut in the budgetary allocation for education.
b. The centre must be provide 100% assistance to the states for uniform and the simultaneous implementation of 7th UGC Pay scales across the country.
c. The Ad-hoc/part time/contractual/block grant teachers should be given pay scale on regular basis with service conditions on the principal of equal pay for equal work as per the judgments of the apex court.
d. The new pension scheme should be rejected and the old pension scheme should be implemented to provide social security to the employees after retirement.
e. All the vacant posts should be filled on regular basis. The contractualization of Higher Education must stop.
f. Governments at the centre and states should introduce strict regulations for Regular payment of salary in self financing institutions.
g. HEFA and Graded Autonomy must be withdrawn as it will lead to privatization and commercialization of Higher Education.
h. Government should start dialogue with stack holders for developing a new education policy base on principles of democracy, secularism, equity and scientific temper.
The conference also resolves to mobilize all stake holders from KG to PG to participate in a huge “People’s March” on 19th February, 2019 at New Delhi called by Joint Forum for Movement on Education (JFME).
