Association of Mangalore University College Teachers (AMUCT) will organise a dharna at Mangalore University campus on August 18, opposing the dismissal of two lecturers, namely, Prof Emmanuel Lalith Kumar of SMS College, Brahmavar, and Shakunthala of Narayana Guru College.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, AMUCT President Joselyn T Lobo said that in view of the inhuman treatment meted out to Ms Shakunthala, even after she was reinstated by the Supreme Court and the dismissal of Mr Kumar from service on flimsy grounds, the annual general meeting of AMUCT has resolved to hold dharnas at educational institutions concerned and further protests will be organised after reviewing the response.

Federation of University and College Teachers’ Association in Karnataka (FUCTAK) President Prof A M Narahari said FUCTAK has planned to organise a rally in Bangalore on September 2 to attract the attention of the government towards various issues and problems confronting higher education in the State. The Karnataka Education Act has vested much powers on the administrative body. This was opposed by AMUCT at the very outset, as it had predicted that it may lead to autocratic behaviour on the part of the administrative body.

The Universities Act must be amended and colleges under the Mangalore University must be given representation in the syndicate.

The State govenment had assured to solve many problems faced by colleges, including filling up of the vacant lecturers posts, which has not materialised. Hence, the rally has been planned, he informed.

Consortium of colleges

Mr Lobo said it is time to take note of the status of government colleges and private aided colleges in the context of devising a comprehensive policy. According to the concept, all government colleges and private aided colleges in a radius of 24-30 kms can be recognised as a single consortium for the mobility of students and faculty.

It envisions enhancement of quality of education and incorporation of changes that are desired by UGC and NAAC in the form of add-on courses, certificate courses and vocational courses.

The consortium can offer different specialisations in different colleges and students can apply for any combination in any college in the consortium. Later, combinations can be allotted to different colleges, following which the students desiring different combinations can be allotted to the respective colleges, he added.

AMUCT General Secretary Ummappa Poojary said AMUCT opposes the proposed diversion of Netravathi river which is the life-line of the district. The diversion will disturb the ecological balance and create unnecessary problems, he explained.