The Hindu : New Delhi News : NET system on way back?

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Sunday, Jan 14, 2007
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New Delhi

NET system on way back?

Parul Sharma

NEW DELHI: Though speculation is rife that the National Eligibility Test (NET) -- that was scrapped by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in June this past year -- will return as the basic eligibility criterion for appointment of teachers in colleges and universities, the Committee entrusted to review the decision has said it is too early to jump to any conclusion.

"Though we have had deliberations with academicians from the West, South and North zones, we are yet to meet the ones from the Central zone. That is scheduled for January 22 in Bhopal. Only after that can we say something concrete on the matter," said Bhalchandra Mungekar, Head of the Committee, over the weekend.

Interestingly, UGC's decision to exempt the NET examination as an eligibility criterion for M. Phil. and Ph. D. degree holders for appointment as teachers was based on the interim report of the Bhalchandra Mungekar Committee. However, it was forced to consider its recommendation following protests by teachers who wanted NET to be retained.

Prof. Mungekar held deliberations on Thursday with representatives from the North Zone including Delhi University, Punjab University and Himachal Pradesh University to gather their opinion on the issue.

Opinion divided

"The opinion has been divided so far. There are many people who want it to be retained; many others who think it should be scrapped. There are also a few who want it to be restructured. Let me compile my report and only then will I be in a position to say something," said Prof. Mungekar, who is also a member of the Planning Commission.

However, Prof. D. P. S. Verma, formerly of the Delhi School of Economics, who also attended Thursday's meeting, said mostly academicians from the North Zone wanted NET to be retained.

"Most participants voiced their opposition to the cancellation of NET. They told Prof. Mungekar that the NET scheme had been serving a useful purpose by ensuring uniformity in the standards of screening for aspirants for the post of teachers and lecturers. The decision to scrap it is a retrograde step and will have undesirable consequences for higher education," he said.

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