Contending that courses offered by the Regional Institute of Education (RIEM), Mysuru, were yet to receive recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC), more than 700 students of the institute launched an indefinite boycott of classes on Friday.
The students had taken out a march to the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday. “We will not resume classes till the institute administration ensures UGC recognition for courses,” said a student. “None of the major courses – M.Sc. Ed., B.Sc. Ed. and BA Ed. – have UGC recognition,” the students said in a press statement.
Though the six-year MSc Ed course was started about seven years ago and the first batch of students passed out in 2014, no concrete action has been taken to secure UGC recognition. “The future of more than 700 students is at stake,” a student said adding that they are neither eligible for pursuing Ph.D. under UGC norms nor entitled to government jobs due to the lack of recognition.
The students had launched their protest on January 6 after which the Joint Director of NCERT, in a tele-conference, assured to look into the matter. However, the students said they have decided to resume their agitation to bring pressure on the authorities.
‘Only a matter of time'
Meanwhile, Principal of RIEM D.G. Rao expressed confidence that the UGC recognition for courses offered by the institute will come through soon.
While it is only a question of nomenclature for the four-year courses — B.Sc. Ed. and BA Ed. — NCERT authorities have assured the institute that UGC recognition for the six-year M.Sc. Ed. would come soon, hopefully before the end of the ensuing semester, he said. “It is only a matter of time. The students should also understand that a reasonable amount of time is needed to complete these formalities,” he said.
NCERT is in touch with senior officials of the HRD Ministry and clarifications sought for providing UGC recognition have been sent to officials, he added.
None of the major courses such as M.Sc. Ed., B.Sc. Ed. and
BA Ed. are recognised by UGC: student
