Renewal of teachers’ contracts at Kolhan University stuck again

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: The renewal process for approximately 150 teachers at Kolhan University, including those in B.Ed, BBA, and BCA programs, remains unresolved, creating uncertainty for the educators. The university had previously stated that the renewal would proceed after November 18, but the matter has once again been delayed due to ongoing investigations.

The renewal of services for vocational and B.Ed teachers was initially proposed, with an agreement to renew their appointments after certificate verification at the college level. The Raj Bhavan had clarified that these appointments would be conducted according to UGC guidelines, with approval from the Raj Bhavan. However, a five-member committee has now been set up to review whether the certificate verification reports prepared by the colleges are accurate and whether the UGC guidelines were followed during the appointment process. This additional layer of scrutiny has further delayed the renewal process, forcing the affected teachers to apply for an extension of their services.

The committee, under the direction of the Vice-Chancellor, includes key officials such as Dr. Krishna Pyare, Dean of Science, and Dr. Van Murari Mishra, Member Secretary, among others. The committee will once again verify whether the teachers’ appointments adhered to the necessary rules. This marks the first time that a proposal for teacher service renewals has been sent to the Raj Bhavan, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. Until the Raj Bhavan approves the renewal, the teachers’ salaries will remain in limbo, with many having gone unpaid for the last three months.

Teachers were also hoping for a salary hike, akin to that offered by other state universities, but this has not materialized. The honorarium for B.Ed and vocational teachers at Kolhan University is reportedly the lowest in the state. This, combined with the delay in payments, has led to frustration among the faculty, who are demanding an increase in their honorarium in line with the pay scales of other universities.