UGC in a recent guideline has increased the class load of full time college teachers from 6 to 8hrs per week, thus aiming at undermining or negating the huge importance of PTTs in colleges & universities. PTTs are an indispensable part of higher education who have been serving in thousands in colleges & Universities all over the State. Recently, in many colleges, authorities have starting exerting pressure upon PTTs to attend college for four days a week (justifying their decision by an erstwhile Govt Order which declared a 25% hike in remuneration of PTTs with an increase in their present work load by 50%). The PTTs are facing mental torture in the process, as they have already borne huge responsibilities in the smooth academic functioning of their respective colleges, which should have done by full time teachers. Thus they are already bearing the extra work load & therefore this 50% workload increase with a meagre throwaway 25% remuneration hike, is indeed unjustifiable. Both UGC & the State Govt fail to see that the Higher Education system in the state is smoothly functioning due to the huge number of PTTs & Guest Lecturers.
We heartily congratulate the newly elected Govt of West Bengal, & readily desire to witness their eagerness in solving the long drawn & critical PTT issue in Colleges & Universities. If the Govt really feels that PTTs at this meagre remuneration, can be forced to attend college for four days a week when their full time counterparts who are being paid thrice the amount comes for five days (only a day extra!!!), then it can fairly upgrade the PTTs to the stature of full time teachers, which has been our long standing demand over the years & thereby make them come for five days a week. The PTTs are ready to work sincerely & serve the Higher Education system, as they have doing for decades, but with dignity & minimum social prestige. The "part" of us can easily be changed to "full" & our service can likewise be changed.
