3,860 guest lecturers lose jobs as govt shifts goalposts

Close to 4,000 guest lecturers working in government undergraduate colleges for 10-15 years lost their jobs following a new rule set by the Department of Collegiate Education on Monday.

The commissioner of Collegiate Education issued a new circular on Monday setting new qualifications for the job of guest lecturer, effectively throwing out 3,860 persons already appointed for the posts. Several colleges have appointed guest lecturers in the beginning of 2017-18 academic year. However, the circular says all appointments should be cancelled and the process should be started afresh.

The circular states that the vacancies should be filled by appointing the candidates who have been selected this year. Guest lecturers should be hired to fill the remaining positions, it adds.

Frequent changes

The department had issued a circular on June 23, setting out details of qualification for appointment of guest lecturers. Accordingly, it had set 40 points for postgraduate degree, 30 each for PhD/NET/SLET, and 10 years of experience.

Within a few days, a new circular was issued setting 10 marks for MPhil. On July 18, yet another circular stayed the appointment of guest lecturers by three days. However, by this time, many colleges had appointed guest lecturers on the basis of merit.

"From 2013, colleges have continued the existing guest lecturers. However, the change in decision this time has thrown 3,860 guest lecturers out on the street. These are people who have been working as guest lecturers for 10 to 15 years," said Shrinivasachari, president, Government First Grade College Guest Lecturers’ Association.

He said the department had dealt a huge blow to the guest lecturers in its latest circular that considers only five years of work experience.