In a significant move towards resolving long-standing issues in the education sector, a delegation from the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) held an extensive discussion with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, informed Dr Ranjit Kumar Singh, State Secretary, ABRSM Jharkhand. The meeting focused on addressing various pending problems related to education and teachers.
Prof. JP Singhal, President of ABRSM, stated that the discussion covered several major problems in higher education. Key topics included the development of adequate infrastructural facilities, prioritizing the filling of teaching and non-teaching vacancies to ensure the proper implementation of the National Education Policy, restoring the system of Minor and Major Research Projects, and the TRF for PhD under the Faculty Development Program.
Join us on WhatsApp, click here
Additionally, the delegation highlighted the need for providing paid leave for PhD coursework, uniform implementation of the UGC Regulation 2018 across the country, making the report of the anomaly redressal committee public, and enabling teachers at graduate colleges to become research guides.
Shivanand Sindankera, General Secretary of ABRSM, presented detailed views on issues related to school education. Key concerns included the implementation of the old pension scheme, freeing teachers from non-educational work, uniform implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendations across the country, ending the ad-hoc system by permanently filling vacant posts, removing the requirement of TET for promotion, and ensuring timely promotions.
Professor Mahendra Shrimali, Convener of ABRSM NIT Teachers Forum, discussed issues specific to National Institutes of Technology (NITs).
ALSO READ: Focus on 9 key areas: 2024 Union Budget to lay groundwork for future budgets, says Nirmala Sitharaman
These included the formation of an NIT Council, notifying NITs for receiving funds under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), providing medical facilities to retired NIT employees under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), and ensuring timely promotions in career advancement.
During the two-hour conversation, Education Minister Pradhan listened attentively to the problems of various cadres and instructed officials to prepare a detailed note on the issues raised. He assured the delegation that the government is committed to working in the interests of education and teachers and that appropriate positive actions would be taken soon, following a meeting with the relevant officials.
The delegation included National Organization Secretary Mahendra Kapoor, Joint Organization Secretary G Laxman, Senior Vice President Mahendra Kumar, Additional General Secretary Narayan Lal Gupta, Vice President Prof. Prajnesh Shah, and Secretary Prof. Geeta Bhatt.
