The Hindu National 2nd July 2012
Half of
SC/ST teaching posts unfilled in Central varsities
RAHI GAIKWAD
In
the filled slots, SCs constitute just 12% against the stipulated 15% and STs 5%
instead of 7.5%
Among
the ills that plague the Indian higher education system is the continued poor
stake of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in it. Year on year, the
huge backlog of vacancies in teaching positions in SC/ST categories remains a
constant concern with little change in its position.
Nearly
half the teaching positions for SCs and STs in Central Universities are still
unfilled. According to the data provided by the government of India in December
2011 to a Right to Information query by Lucknow-based activist Mahendra Pratap
Singh, 48.5 per cent of posts in these two categories in 24 Central varsities
were vacant during 2010-2011. The stipulated quota for SCs and STs in Central
institutions is 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively.
For
the year, 2010-211, the total backlog in SC category at the entry-level
position of Lecturer was 341 out of 740 required posts. Thus, 46 per cent of
these posts were unfilled. In the ST category, 197 or 53 per cent of posts were
vacant out of the required posts of 369.
Under-representation
The
huge gap points to the under-representation of these marginalised communities
in educational institutions. The SCs constitute 12 per cent of the total filled
positions in Central Universities and STs constitute five per cent of the
filled posts.
Climbing
up to the prestigious ranks of Reader and Professor, their share gets
alarmingly dismal. Over 84 per cent of posts for Readers in the SC-ST category
were vacant in 2010-2011. And, over 92 per cent Professor’s positions in these
categories are vacant.
The
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has consistently had the poorest record of
clearing the backlog. There was a whopping 59.7 per cent of SC and ST vacancies
in lecturer positions itself in 2010-2011.
A
BHU source confirmed the situation remained the same in 2012 as well, since the
University had not undertaken a recruitment drive in the past few months to
clear this backlog.
In
fact, the current position is as bad if not worse, compared to previous years.
As per the 2007-08 figures, obtained by The Hindu under RTI,
SC-ST vacancy in BHU for the lecturer position was at 52 per cent.
“The
problem,” remarked Subhash Lakhotia, Professor Emeritus at BHU, “is that
candidates are often not found suitable.” — a reason cited across the board for
poor implementation of the reservation policy.
“The
university has to consider certain minimal requirement. Many teaching positions
are for specialised candidates. The quality of degrees our education system
gives is not [of a very high standard]. So, although candidates meet the
eligibility criteria, they are not found suitable. A large number of open posts
are also vacant,” Mr. Lakhotia told The Hindu on the phone.
“The
fallacy lies in the system. The graduates coming out today are unemployable,”
he pointed out.
The
overall concerns over standards notwithstanding, the approach to implementation
of reservation is complicated by a notional linking of the reservation policy
with impoverishment of “quality” of education.
“I
would not like reservation anywhere. Higher education is about quality. The
government says launch a special drive to fill posts; it is in their interest.
But in the process you lose out on quality,” remarked Mr. Lakhotia.
“Reservation
has made things worse,” remarked a source from BHU. “You don’t get quality
people. SC/ST candidates are competent. The ones from Maharashtra and the
northeast are good. Tezpur University is doing very well. That’s because their
graduates return to their native place.”
Another
reason cited by BHU was the increase in the retirement age to 65 years (as per
2006 UGC recommendations). “For some years, no one retired and then there were
mass retirements creating a sudden vacancy. In Banaras, availability of housing
and other facilities is a major problem. So no one wants to take up jobs here,”
an official remarked.
Making
matters worse, the quota policy itself is looked upon as a benevolent act
towards the lower sections, rather than an affirmative and necessary provision
to ensure the fair share of SCs and STs in education, long denied due to the
caste system.
“Let
me point out,” said a BHU professor in a letter to the BHU Vice-Chancellor,
obtained through RTI by Mr. Singh, “that we are aware of our social
responsibilities and compulsions which implies some reservation to be done for
[the] weaker section.”
Arguing
for “phased reservation,” he wrote that the university must ensure that “the
weaker sections get advantage at the entry level through phased reservation,
but at the same time the academic profile/glamour/reputation of the university
remains intact.”
‘Centre
of excellence’
One
argument put forth by the BHU is also that it is considered a “centre of
excellence.” Therefore, it should be excluded from the reservation policy.
Dr.
Vikas Gupta from the Delhi University said that filling posts roster-wise would
help ease the backlog. That entailed marking posts in departments as per each
category and so on.
“Roster
implementation takes care of many of the [gaps] in filling reserved posts.
Every department has to maintain a roster of posts to ensure full reservation
and avoid manipulation. Rosters should be made public by all universities.”
According
to Mr. Gupta, earlier universities in their advertisements would mention only
the number of reserved posts without specifying which post was for which
community — SC/ST/OBC. So, a candidate did not know which post she/he was
applying for.
This
way, universities “got the free ground to keep people confused.” Everyone is
applying for everything. After the interview, the decision is made [on
selection for a particular department post]. “This is unfair. This is how it is
manipulated,” Mr. Gupta said.
He
remarked the situation was changing with universities going in for the roster
system.
Despite,
repeated attempts, the University Grants Commission did not respond to The
Hindu ’s queries on the issue.
· Banaras
Hindu University has the poorest record of clearing the backlog
· Situation
changing with universities going in for roster system
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