GND varsity ad hoc teachers for pay hike

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 16

Members of Guru Nanak Dev University Association of Ad hoc Teachers, at a press conference lambasted the policy of the university on ad hoc teachers on Monday. They said they had been getting a meagre salary, insufficient to make their both ends meet. Aam Adami Party (AAP) leaders, including Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, also extended support to them.

Gurpreet Singh, president of the Guru Nanak Dev University Association of Ad hoc Teachers, said, “We are fighting for our rights. The GNDU has been revising our salaries for the past couple of years. We were hired on ad hoc basis but the university has been utilising our services on per lecture basis.”

According to him, the university, during its recent recruitment drive, rejected the ad hoc teachers for certain positions. “The university has also taken away admission duties. We are also not allowed to mark our attendance,” he added.

“The university has no proper policy. The university is even not ready to acknowledge our experience,” said Amit, a professor at a constituent college under the GNDU.

AAP leader Sukhpal Khaira said, “This is disappointing. I will take up the issue during the September session of the Vidhan Sabha. The situation of these teachers reflects the seriousness of the Capt Amarinder Singh government towards the education.”

Gurpreet Singh said, “The university can spend money on contesting legal battles but it is ready to overlook our issues. We are grateful to Sukhpal Singh Khaira that he has come here to support us. We will hold a massive protest on September 5 if the university does not provide solution to our problems.”

GNDU Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu said, “The matter of the teachers is sub-judice. We will proceed in accordance with the court orders.”

Guru Nanak Dev University Registrar Karanjeet Singh Khalon said, “The allegations are baseless. The university has followed all the rules. Staff on lecture basis has been hired. We have not given admission duties to ad hoc teachers as they are appointed only to take lectures. We want them to focus on their work.”