Teachers’ dignity a priority: Prof Gill

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 10

Prof Rajesh Gill’s team released its manifesto on Friday wherein they sought votes for teachers’ dignity.

“Our struggle is for making the administrative system teacher-friendly and transparency should continue with zero-tolerance for any pick-and-choose policy. The dignity of teachers will remain the top priority for us,” said Prof Gill, who is contesting for the post of the president of Punjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA).

The revival of the Panjab University Teachers’ Welfare Scheme is on the agenda for providing help in the case of demise of a colleague. Counting of the past service and extending this benefit without pick and choose has been emphasised in the manifesto.

“Teachers’ flats are in a shambles. Power outages are common. We need to cater to the young faculty by resolving the issues of PhD increments for assistant professors,” said Dr JS Sehrawat, who is contesting for the post of the joint secretary from Gill’s team.

The manifesto calls for the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, central university status for the PU, and 300 earned leave for teachers instead of 180 days.

On reforms in the governing bodies of the PU, Prof Gill said: “We shall continue striving for the reforms which grant greater autonomy to the PU departments and a decisive say to teachers in the governing bodies.”