PU teachers protest early start of classes, threaten boycott

The Karnataka State Pre University Lecturers' Association has threatened to boycott classes if the Pre University academic year begins on May 2, as announced by the Department of Pre University Education (DPUE) on Wednesday.

The DPUE published the calendar of events for first and secon year PU courses. Classes for PU I are to begin on May 14 and for PU II on May 2.

The reason given was that the academic year had ended in February for PU I students and, beginning early would also help in better preparation. The lecturers association has, however, objected to the schedule.

"Lecturers were working on the second PU exams till March 18 after which they were involved in evaluation work. Further, supplementary examination for PU I students will be held from April 16 to 28. Evaluation is to be completed and results announced by May 2," they said in a statement.

The association says that the Dasra vacation in 2017 was also cut short and special classes were held during the break.

The lecturers say it is their right to get a total of three months of leave, combining the Dasra holidays and summer vacation.

"We demand that the government should either declare the PU department as a non-vacational department or the schedule should be withdrawn. If not, we will boycott the classes which are to begin on May 2," the statement says.

Since the education department has summer and Dasra vacation, the department is considered a vacational job, meaning that lecturers get 10 days of earned leave instead of 30 days like non-vocational departments.

A source in the department said that they have forwarded the proposal to convert the department to non-vacational to the Finance department, as they have no objection.

DPUE director C Shikha said that even with the new schedule, lecturers will be getting 45 days leave. Since evaluation is part of the lecturers' duty, it is counted in the vacation and they are paid extra honorarium.