‘Implement education laws after elaborate discussions’

Governments should subject bills for detailed discussions, before making them laws, opined MLC S L Bhoje Gowda.

He was speaking at the 32nd annual general body meeting and annual convention of the Association of Mangalore University College Teachers (AMUCT) at Canara College in Mangaluru on Sunday.

“There have been instances where the laws, especially those pertaining to the field of education are formed after passing the bills on the floor of the house without any discussion. Consultation with teachers and subject experts are the prerequisites for framing such laws,” he said.

Terming the decision to implement the National Pension Scheme for teachers to be immature, the MLC pointed out that while teachers have been struggling to get their benefits they are eligible to, the salary and remuneration of elected members are hiked again and again. “The representatives should implement the National Pension Scheme for themselves first before implementing it on others,” he added.

Stating that the NPS is a draconian act, Bhoje Gowda said that as an elected representative from the teaching community, he has taken the issue seriously. “The scheme does not guarantee good prospects for retired teachers. If the situation demands, I am ready to approach the Supreme Court to question the same,” he said.

He further said that he has already conveyed problems such as vacant posts of teachers, age relaxation towards regular appointments in aided colleges, guest lecturers’ problems and the related issues to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and has requested him to solve the same. “The chief minister has assured of convening a meeting with the representatives of teacher associations, elected members from teachers’ constituency and the higher officials of the Education Department, within the next 15 days.”

Bhoje Gowda released AMUCT bulletin. Meanwhile, the MLC was felicitated by AMUCT. Lecturers who attained superannuation during the last academic year and those who attained PhD and other awards, were felicitated on the occasion.

Collegiate Education Joint Director Prof Mahesh Rao, Canara High School Association Honorary Secretary M Ranganath Bhat and Canara First Grade College Principal Dr Malini K V were the guests of honours.

AMUCT President Dr Ummappa Poojary P, Treasurer Dejamma and General Secretary Dr Kumara Hegde B A were present.