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Maharashtra's environment teachers in a spot

Professor Shashikant Shelar, who used to teach environment at MMK College, Bandra, lost his job after one year of service because he no longer qualifies for the post, as per government regulations.

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Professor Shashikant Shelar, who used to teach environment at MMK College, Bandra, lost his job after one year of service because he no longer qualifies for the post, as per government regulations.

Prof Shelar has an MA in geography whereas, according to current government guidelines, environment teachers in junior colleges must be postgraduates only from the science stream.

After making environment a compulsory subject in 2007, the state government in 2008 issued a GR (Government Resolution) stating qualifications for the post of environment teachers.

Anil Deshmukh of Mumbai Junior College Teachers Union said, “The GR initially states that anybody can teach the subject. But it later mentions that if it is a full-time post, then the candidate has to be a science postgraduate. Several teachers, who have done their Masters in geography from the arts stream lost their jobs, even though they had taught the subject successfully previously.”

“Interestingly, as per university guidelines, both courses — MA in Geography and MSc in Geography — are the same,” added Deshmukh.

Subsequently, Prof Shelar appealed in the Bombay high court in 2008, but is still awaiting a decision. Meanwhile, Prof Deepak More who has been teaching in Somaiya College for the past five years, received an approval for his post just recently.

A senior official from the education department of Mantralaya, told DNA, “We agree that this is a long pending issue. But soon there will be a meeting to discuss it and a decision is likely to be taken.”

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