300 Annamalai University professors to be shifted to government colleges
Chennai: Within six months of transferring 369 professors from Annamalai University to government arts and science colleges, the department of higher education is again planning to shift nearly 300 professors from the varsity to the government colleges.
The professors from government colleges are opposing the move saying it will affect the quality of education and their seniority.
The government of Tamil Nadu took over the administration of the university in 2013 after financial and administrative irregularities in the university.
At present, the state has 87 government arts and science colleges. There are nearly 6,000 teaching faculty in these colleges. The department of higher education has already transferred 369 lecturers and assistant professors from Annamalai University to government colleges who were appointed over and above the sanctioned strength.
“Now, the government is planning to transfer around 300 faculty members of the university to government colleges on a three-year contract basis,” sources said.
As per 2010 UGC regulations, candidates who aspire to be assistant professors, should have NET/SLET/Ph.D qualification.
“Many of these professors are not qualified according to UGC regulations. Many of them are from the University’s distance education wing and they will find it difficult to handle regular government college students,” said R.Damotharan, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association (TNGCTA).
“Even in the previous transfer, some of them had Open University degrees. Teachers Recruitment Board should conduct fresh certificate verification for them,” he demanded.
He also asked why these professors are not transferred to other universities and the constituent colleges.
“If they transfer all of the excess staff in Annamalai University to government colleges, then no new vacancies will arise in near future. It will affect guest lecturers who are working for the last few years on a consolidated pay,” said N.K. Kandasamy, president, Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association (TNGCTA).
When enquired, officials from the directorate of collegiate education said they are yet to receive any intimation from the government.
