The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) on Friday wrote to the University Grants Commission (UCG) opposing any move to fragment and privatise Delhi University.
The teachers, who have been boycotting evaluation work of undergraduate courses since May 9, said despite protests, the agenda of turning colleges and universities of repute into “teaching shops” through the scheme of autonomous colleges and graded autonomy seems to be going on, with reports of the UGC granting autonomy to St. Stephen’s College. “DU colleges are being pressurised to become autonomous under the said scheme. Despite widespread protests by the academic community, including a protest march by more than 15,000 students and teachers on March 28, the UGC has gone ahead and organised two meetings with principals,” DUTA said.
Without opinions
It added that St. Stephen’s College has sought the autonomous college status without taking the opinions of teachers and students into account.
DUTA demanded that furtherance of the autonomy scheme be suspended till the matter is “honestly and rigorously” debated and performance of autonomous colleges across the country reviewed.
