Teachers to mark papers on off days

DUTA unhappy, varsity says its for results in time

Delhi University issued a notification telling teachers that they will need to come to work on Saturdays and Sundays too for the evaluation  of semester-end exam papers. DU officials said the move was to ‘ensure timely results’.

“The working schedule is fixed for all days, including Saturdays and holidays, from 9 am to 6 pm. The details of remuneration for evaluation of answer scripts, travelling allowance, and refreshment charges are available at central evaluation centre,” said a letter sent from the deputy registrar’s office. “Performing the assigned work of evaluation is mandatory for all colleges’ teachers as per academic council or executive council resolutions and their service conditions.”

Although, last year the evaluation centre was open on all days, teachers were not ‘forced’ to come on Saturdays and public holidays, said Abha Dev Habib, professor of physics at Miranda House. “Last year, depending on the evaluation speed, teachers were free to choose if they wanted to come on holidays. Earlier, in annual mode, teachers were allowed to take answer scripts home for evaluation,” she said.

Last year, only first year and second year Science stream students were on semester mode, said a senior official. This academic year first and second year students are on semester mode thus the pressure is more. “The evaluation period is not more than 10 days. Teachers should cooperate,” he said.

Delhi University Teachers Association which is on a relay hunger strike for the last 41 days criticised the cancellation of all leave of teachers (taken in advance) as it is clashing with the evaluation days schedule. “One of the college has denied leave to teachers for the upcoming refresher and orientation courses which are mandatory for many teachers as it is a requirement put forth by University Grants Commission to get promotions,” said a DUTA member. 

“When teachers asked the controller of examination, he said that teachers have to check 200 answer-scripts per day and cannot take leave.” said the member, adding that the clash is of one day. Around 1 lakh students will sit for these semester-end exams.