'Working for NSS doesn't count as teaching experience': HC criticizes Priya Varghese

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday criticized and questioned Priya Varghese, wife of CPM leader KK Ragesh, in connection with her appointment as an associate professor at Kannur University. The court harshly criticized that working for NSS can not be counted as teaching experience.

The court asked Priya whether she taught during the period of deputation as a student director. The court held that teaching is a serious job and clarified that the post of NSS coordinator is not part of teaching experience. The court also clarified that teaching experience must mean teaching itself.

Earlier, the court had asked whether the appointment of associate professor is not child's play and whether the qualification of Priya Varghese was checked. The court had also informed the Registrar of Kannur University that there was no clarity in the examination of Priya Varghese's teaching experience. The UGC had clarified in the court that associate professor should have 10 years of teaching experience and Priya Varghese had no teaching experience.