DU teachers write to VC to prevent displacement of ad-hoc, temporary teachers with disabilities

NEW DELHI: Several teachers of Delhi University (DU) have appealed to its Vice-Chancellor (VC) Yogesh Singh to prevent displacement of ad-hoc and temporary teachers with disabilities.

Thirty-four teachers from various colleges affiliated to the DU have raised the issue in a letter to the VC. Calling the move “disheartening and unfortunate” the teachers said: “It undermines the principles of reasonable-accommodation, inclusivity and diversity enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”

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The letter also pointed out that the move will be contrary to the union government’s long-standing position that employees with disability are to be the last in an event of retrenchment or transfer.

The letter said the ad hoc and temporary teachers with disabilities are among the most vulnerable section of the society and their displacement will be a “tragedy force upon them” and severely limit their chances of finding employment. “The teachers who have served for years at the colleges are now faced with depression, extreme worry and anxiety due to fear of losing jobs.”

The ad hoc and temporary teachers of Delhi University have been demanding adsorption in permanent cadre. Last year, the DU had more than 4,000 such teachers. These teachers are hired for 120 days at a stretch comprising nearly 40% of all teaching staff.