Fearing implementation of the controversial decision to increase their workload in the coming academic year, college lecturers across the State held dharnas on Tuesday.
A circular sent recently to government first grade colleges as well as private and aided colleges by the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) seeking details of the number of lecturers, among others, caused anxiety and anger among lecturers.
In the city, lecturers of St. Joseph’s Autonomous College, Langford Road, were among those who participated in the protest. The teachers said any further increase in the workload would affect the quality of teaching-learning and their efficiency. The government is ignoring the fact that teachers are also involved in various administrative, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, which take up a lot of their time, they said.
The teachers involved in evaluation work of Bangalore University exams have also threatened to boycott work if the circular is not withdrawn.
Last year, the DCE had issued a circular increasing the number of teaching hours from 16 to 22 per week. The State government was forced to keep the decision in abeyance last November following widespread criticism from various quarters.
A circular issued last year talked of increasing the number of
teaching hours from
16 to 22 per week
