DU teachers to continue agitation

The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) on Saturday decided to continue with their refusal to evaluate the exam papers of undergraduate students despite an appeal by the Dean of Examinations.

The dean had written to them to begin marking papers by June 12. But at DUTA’s executive meeting, the members decided not to withdraw their “boycott evaluation” protest. The teacher body is on protest since May 24.

In the general body meeting on Tuesday, DUTA decided that the boycott will continue till Saturday. But majority still feels that the strike should be continued.

The ongoing agitation is against the new workload norms and to demand the complete roll-back of the controversial PBAS/ API promotion scheme.

In the meeting, Nandita Narain, president DUTA said, “At this moment, we will not withdraw the ‘boycott evaluation’.” She also says that instead they will step up their strike and on Tuesday hold a Satyagraha at Rajghat.

Personal letters will be sent to undergraduate students who have been sending letters of request to end the boycott. More than 50,000 students are at the receiving end of the agitation and the concerned DUTA members will send a common email to all stating that this is the time they are supposed to create pressure on the government instead of teachers.

“Through the staff associations, through individual teachers, using Facebook, Whatsapp can be used to communicate with the entire class,” said Narain.

Also, a letter will be sent to the Vice Chancellor from the academicians explaining their position.

“We also care about students, but if the government cares about them they will listen to our demands,” she says.