As per University Grants Commission, teachers have to carry out research apart from teaching students.
The Academic Performance Indicator (API) laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC) is proving to be a headache for the teachers across the state. The teachers, especially from the colleges, strongly feel that the norms are impractical. They unanimously said that they are already burdened with workload and if forced to do research, it will affect their teaching as it is time-consuming.
Meanwhile, member of Pune University and College Teachers’ Organisation (PUCTO), Arunkumar Walunj said, “The norms want teachers to publish a book, which is no child’s play. Besides, those who win medals and awards will be given extra marks. Again the point being, is winning a medal and an award that easy?”
Lecturer at Modern College of Science, Arts and Commerce, Vaishali Chapekar (name changed) said, “These norms have put as extra burden on us. The people who are in science stream are more affected since we have to do practicals as well. Thus, the workload of 20 lectures per week, examination work, informal counselling of the students and being a part of various committee works are already too much to handle. And on top of all these commitments, if we are forced to do research then maintaining the teaching quality will become difficult.”
Another teacher, Anil Khairnar from Garware College of Science and Arts said, “When teachers are expected to do research, then a check on the facilities provided to them in the colleges should also be examined. I know many colleges in the city where the faculties don’t even have a proper space to sit. Some colleges have limited number of computers with no Internet facility. In such an atmosphere, doing research becomes difficult.
“Besides, we have a workload of 20 to 22 lectures per week. Then we also have to participate in seminars, workshops and conferences to gain marks. If we go for a conference, which is outside the state, then we need to spare at least 10 days for the same. With semester pattern in colleges, we get only 2.5 months to teach the course and from those if 10 days are lost, then it affects the teaching.”
A faculty member of HV Desai College, on the condition of anonymity, said, “One of the norms state that a teacher has to be the coordinator of a workshop/seminar/conference. If the teacher is a member, then s/he won’t get any marks. This has led to unnecessary competition between the teachers to become coordinators.” Varsha Meshram, faculty of Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s Commerce College (MMCC), said, “The norms are very difficult to follow owing to various responsibilities a college teacher has.”
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