Eyebrows raised over Kannur University Syndicate decision

Varsity to seek clarification on API score

The Kannur University Syndicate’s decision to seek clarification from the State government on implementation of the Academic Performance Indicator (API) score for appointment of principals in colleges has raised eyebrows in academic circles here as it is seen as contradicting the University’s earlier order implementing the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) regulations in matters concerning appointments and cadres in colleges.

A press release issued by the University informed that the Syndicate meeting held on July 13 decided to seek clarification from the government as to from which date onward the API score has to be implemented. The decision goes against the University’s order on July 3, which has clearly stated the UGC regulations for the appointment of principal under direct recruitment will be applied. API score of 400 points is required for the direct recruitment of principals in private aided colleges as stipulated under category III (research and academic contributions) of the performance-based appraisal system of the UGC regulations.

“Why should the Syndicate seek such a clarification from the government when the university issued an order dated 19-10-2011 implementing the UGC regulations with retrospective effect from 18-09-2010,” asked a Professor at the university, who requested anonymity. While the API score is applied by the University for appointment of college teachers and their promotions, the Syndicate is resorting to ‘double standards’ by its decision to seek the government’s clarification on API score implementation in the case of direct recruitment of principals, he added. The Syndicate decision also amounted to surrendering the University’s autonomy, he noted.

The API score for direct recruitment of Principals in private aided colleges is a thorny issue for the university. The controversial decision of the Syndicate standing committee on staff of affiliated colleges on June 11 to relax the UGC’s stipulation for appointment of principals was reversed after the issue was exposed by

The Hindu on June 23. The standing committee had proposed to set the minimum category-III API score per year under the assessment period of three years prior to the current academic year at 20 (totalling 60) for direct recruitment. This was against the UGC regulation that stipulates a consolidated API score of 400 points from category-III alone for direct recruitment. The order on July 3, however, reversed the standing committee’s proposal as per the recommendation of the standing committee that again met on June 24.

The decision of the Syndicate on July 13 to seek the government’s clarification on the issue is seen as a bid to subvert the reversal of the earlier proposal to relax the UGC norms of API score. The sources said that the Syndicate was under pressure from private college teachers anticipating direct recruitment as principals. It is also seen as a nod for the colleges to do ‘irregular appointment of principals’ in the coming weeks as it will take months for the government to respond to the university’s clarification.

The decision of the Syndicate on July 13 to seek the government’s clarification on the issue is seen as a bid to subvert the reversal of the earlier proposal to relax the UGC norms of API score.