Open University demands permanent posts; contract teachers dropping out

KOLLAM: Sree Narayanaguru Open University is demanding permanent teaching posts as teachers appointed on a contract basis for one year are dropping out. The open university has asked the government for 70 permanent teaching posts for existing and new courses.

The government had allotted 46 contract teacher posts with a monthly salary of Rs.38000. However, many of those teachers appointed in two years have dropped out after they got jobs outside Kerala and in aided colleges in the state. This is affecting the study. Three months ago, the university had requested the government to allow at least 25 teaching posts on a contract basis to start more distance courses run by other universities. The preliminary process for these courses has not started as the government is yet to give a favourable response.

The varsity has also demanded to make at least 40 non-teaching posts permanent to make the examination conduct more transparent. The government has allotted 62 temporary posts.