Panjab University: Panjab University will change the rules of providing services to universities affiliated with non-government entities

Chandigarh: Panjab University has decided to amend the ‘Conditions of Service and Conduct of Teachers in Non-Government Universities’, which means changing the terms of service and operational guidelines for lecturers. These amendments, approved by the Regulatory Committee and the Vice-Chancellor, were initially approved at the committee meeting on October 18, 2023, and then discussed by the Syndicate on October 28, 2023. At the insistence of one member, the Syndicate referred the amendments back to the Regulatory Committee for further review. 10% contract faculty strength limit Teachers should be employed on contract basis only when necessary and in accordance with Regulation 12.3 of the UGC 2018 when the student-teacher ratio does not meet the prescribed standards. In any case, the number of such appointments should not exceed 10% of the total number of faculty positions in the College. In terms of appointment, the qualifications and selection procedure for their appointment should be the same as those applicable to permanently appointed teachers. The fixed remuneration paid to such contract teachers should not be lower than the gross monthly remuneration of a full-time assistant professor. Such appointments should not initially be made for more than one academic session and the performance of each such novice teacher should be checked for academic performance before being reappointed on a contractual basis for the next session. Such contractual appointments can also be made when it is necessary to fill vacancies arising from maternity leave, parental leave, etc. Previously, there was no contractual right to remuneration for summer leave. However, currently teachers employed temporarily or on a trial period are entitled to holiday pay. Dr Jagwant Singh, chairman of the regulatory committee, said the number of contract teachers was very high in the last few years and it was necessary to ensure teachers their rights. Moreover, limiting the number of contract staff at 10% is important because “too much ad hoc nature threatens the academic quality of the institution.” Suspension, allowances and severance pay The amendments extend the suspension period to six months, during which suspended teachers are entitled to salary along with allowances in the form of daily allowance as directed by the concerned governing authority (Punjab Government/Chadngiarh Administration). The teacher will be granted gratuity by the Governing Body in accordance with the rules and rates prescribed by the Government of Punjab for its employees in the case of teachers working in the privately managed affiliated colleges of the State of Punjab and by the Chandigarh Administration for its employees in the case of teachers working in the private affiliated colleges in the Union Territory of Chandigarh , as appropriate. Teachers with at least 10 years of service can now opt for voluntary retirement after giving three months’ notice to the competent authority, a reduction from the previous requirement of 20 years. Ethical standards and conductThe revised Code of Conduct places strong emphasis on teachers’ ethical responsibility, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal conduct with national educational ideals and maintaining a professional attitude at all times. “Teachers are expected to be calm, patient, communicative and sympathetic, and to be aware that their conduct is constantly monitored by students and society at large,” the document reads.