The UGC proposes to fix tenure of college principals and provide extensions only on the basis of the work done
The UGC proposes to fix tenure of college principals and provide extensions only on the basis of the work done
All good things should come to end and if it's bad then the sooner the better.
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Dyal Singh College file photo |
It is the new motto of the University Grants Commission (UGC) as the higher education regulator has proposed to fix the tenure of college principals from affiliated universities to five years and give promotions and extensions on the basis of a performance analysis.
So far, a similar system was in place for university vice-chancellors only. The principals may be given another term but only after passing through another selection committee.
On completion of five years, vacancy for the post will have to be advertised in the newspaper. Till now there were no such rules regarding a principal's tenure. According to a UGC official, the proposal will soon be sent to the Central government for approval. "Once it gets the final clearance, whosoever is appointed the principal will get a five-year tenure. An extension in service will be subjected to an analysis of his/her performance."
Principals of various colleges in Delhi University gave mixed reactions to the development. While some feel that such system will only create instability and confusion in educational institution of higher learning, some think it will give help get some young blood into the system.
Dr P C Jain, Principal of SRCC College, who has been there for past 4 years said, "I think this is a good move by the Commission. This will bring more transparency into the system and if your work is good, there is always an option for reappointment. Right from the first day, the incumbent will work hard. Secondly, it will also give a chance to more people to prove their leadership abilities. Currently, a principal appointed at the age of 50 continues to hold the office till he is 65."
"There should be self-assessment at every level and we should not run away from it. In a way this would only help to impart quality education. Principals would also be able to identify their weak points and work on them. I think this is a good move and for the betterment of the education system as a whole," said, Dr Inderjit Singh Bakshi, principal of Dayal Singh College for last three years.
However, not everybody is happy.
Requesting anonymity, a principal from a college in south campus of Delhi University, said: "In most of the cases, I think principals have been performing their duties efficiently. There was no need to define a time period for our work. We have to look at the problems of teaching and non-teaching staffs apart from other administrative issues. All this takes a lot of time."
Recently, the UGC has also approved new regulations which links promotion of university and college teachers to their output in research and teaching rather than years of experience. The output of the teachers will be quantified and they will be awarded marks as per their works in research, teaching, publication and other curricular activities. Unhappy over the provisions in the regulation, members of Federation of College and University Teachers' Association (FEDCUTA) went on a hunger strike and demanded changes in it.
| Points table |
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Points andu00a0Activity
150u00a0Performance (teaching, familiarity with uptodate teachingu00a0material and participation in external/internalu00a0examination work)
50u00a0Contribution to professional activity
10u00a0Writing in research publications (journals)
20u00a0Publishing books or chapters in books by internationalu00a0publishers
20u00a0Participation in seminars, conferences and workshops
15-20u00a0Recognition at international, national and regional level
10u00a0Responsibilities such as vice-principal, dean, director,u00a0warden or bursar
5u00a0Membership to professional associations
50u00a0Awards from accredited international and nationalu00a0associations
50u00a0Recognitions like a Padmashri or anything fromu00a0international organisations such as UNESCO |
