As the impasse between the state government and striking teachers continues, Rajan Welukar, vice-chancellor of Mumbai University, on Thursday assured that the strike will not have an adverse impact on further examinations. Speaking exclusively to DNA, Welukar said: “Parents and students should not panic. Students should concentrate on their studies. Not a single student will be left out of the exam process. That much I can assure.”
More than 17,000 TYBSc students could not appear for their practicals on Monday because examiners did not turn up at nearly half the centres.
“Wherever the practicals could not be held, those exams will be rescheduled and conducted in the future,” promised Welukar. However, with the teachers’ union refusing to budge, TYBCom exams, scheduled to start on March 28, could be affected next.
Nearly 45,000 teachers associated with the Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation (MFUCTO) have boycotted exam work and threatened to start a jail bharo andolan from Friday. Welukar says he can do little about their demands as the stalemate is between the state and teachers’ union.
“It is a misconception that the boycott is because the varsity administration is not doing anything for teachers. During all our discussions with government authorities, we have highlighted the demands of teachers,” the vice-chancellor told DNA. “The state has agreed to some of their demands. I appeal to all the teachers to resume work keeping the interest of students in mind.”
The state cabinet on Wednesday agreed to several demands, including disbursement of arrears of the sixth pay commission. However, MFUCTO has called the government’s move unilateral and threatened to intensify its agitation.
