Jamshedpur: Dr. Rakesh Kumar Pandey, President of the Jharkhand State University Contract Teachers’ Association, criticized the state government, alleging that authorities are ignoring the concerns of 700 need-based teachers who have become the backbone of higher education in Jharkhand over the last eight years.
“Are We Unqualified?” Pandey Challenges Minister
Dr. Pandey’s statement comes in response to claims by the Higher Education Minister that the government is focusing on upcoming Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) appointments rather than the future of existing contract staff.
Pandey questioned the government’s definition of “qualification,” noting:
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UGC Compliance: Need-based teachers were originally appointed following strict University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.
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Performance Survey: He challenged the government to conduct an independent survey or collect student feedback to compare the effectiveness of JPSC-appointed faculty versus need-based teachers.
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Service Record: These educators have served various state universities for nearly a decade, handling both academic and administrative loads.
Hardships and Lack of Benefits
Despite performing duties identical to regular faculty, Dr. Pandey highlighted that these teachers face severe professional neglect:
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Low Honorarium: Teachers receive minimal pay with no recent revisions.
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Zero Benefits: There is no EPF (Employee Provident Fund) deduction, no medical facilities, and no leave benefits.
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Dignity at Stake: Pandey termed the government’s approach “insensitive” and a disregard for the professional dignity of educators.
Next Steps
The Association head announced plans to seek an urgent meeting with the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He intends to present a formal demand for justice and a secure future for the state’s need-based teaching community.
