Haryana teachers to wear black badges against UGC draft rules
The Haryana Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation (HFUCTO) has decided to hold a protest by wearing black badges from March 24 to 26 to express their opposition to the UGC Draft Regulations 2025, and "lethargic" attitude of the authorities towards its long-pending demands.
This decision was made unanimously during a meeting of the organisation’s executive committee held here on Sunday. “The UGC Draft Regulations 2024 and 2025 are against the teachers' interest, hence we are demanding their withdrawal. In addition, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, the repeal of the National Education Policy 2020, the de-linking of PhD requirements for promotions to associate professor/professor and the sanction of MPhil and PhD incentive increments are among the demands,” Dr Narendra Chahar, vice-president, All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO), who presided over the meeting.
Chahar emphasised that the AIFUCTO had issued a call for teachers to wear black badges for three days, and the HFUCTO had fully embraced this call to make the protest a success.
Besides, Dayanand Malik, general secretary, HFUCTO, highlighted another key demand. “We are also demanding that teachers be relieved of non-academic duties and external responsibilities. This will enable them to focus entirely on their academic work, ensuring they can give their full attention to teaching and contribute more effectively to student learning."
He said the meeting also underscored the need for vice-chancellors across Haryana's universities to strictly adhere to university statutes, calendars, and regulations. The members agreed that any violations should be prevented in order to maintain the integrity and standards of higher education in the state.
Malik further highlighted the long-standing demands of teachers at government-aided colleges, which remain unmet. “These include the reimbursement of medical expenses, the provision of house rent allowances according to the 7th pay scale from October 2019, granting gratuity benefits to all employees hired after January 1, 2006, and filling vacant teaching and non-teaching positions to ensure the effective implementation of the NEP 2020,” he added.
Dr Vikas Siwach, president, HFUCTO, said these protests were not just about the grievances of teachers but also a call to protect the future of education in Haryana. "We must unite to demand fair treatment, better working conditions, and safeguarding of the teaching profession," Siwach added.
