In response to a letter by St. Stephen’s College Principal John Varghese asking the Heads of Departments their views in a prescribed format on the proposed autonomy of the college, 41 of 53 permanent teachers have objected to the questionnaire saying the questions were either irrelevant or unanswerable.
‘Honour decision’
The teachers have asked him to honour the decision taken at the March 3 staff council meeting, in which it was allegedly decided to convene a meeting of the governing body and place before it the ratified minutes of the staff council proceedings.
The teachers said the governing body, after taking into account the issues raised at the staff council meeting, should set up a mechanism for wide-ranging consultations among stakeholders with clear procedures and rules in order to achieve consensus among stakeholders.
In the letter, the teachers objected strongly to the decision to ask individual faculty members to give their feedback on the question of autonomy before March 10. They requested Prof. Varghese to honour the established and time-honoured practice in public institutions when considering proposals of key policy choice, which have fundamental and irrevocable implications, by preparing and issuing a detailed consultation paper with full and transparent disclosure and information, and then invite comments and suggestions from all stakeholders, while also giving them ample time for internal discussions and careful reflection.
A governing body meeting on February 25 had decided to go ahead with the proposal seeking autonomy for the college. However, the principal agreed to take teachers and students on board following protests.
