CHANDIGARH: Dr. Jagwant Singh, General Secretary of the ‘Punjab Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (PFUCTO)’, a body of teachers’ associations of GNDU, Amritsar; PU, Chandigarh; PAU, Ludhiana; Punjabi University, Patiala; GADVASU, Ludhiana; Government Colleges and non-govt. colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing his attention to the crisis that has gripped the entire education sector of India, from schools and colleges to the universities in the wake of the covid pandemic. He has sought the personal intervention of the PM in the matter as the distressed education sector is in dire need of help.
Dr. Jagwant Singh said, ‘Before embarking upon the implementation of NEP-2020, the government should address this crisis in the education sector that has the largest number of employees. The Ministry of Finance, while announcing the much needed packages for different sectors of the economy to cope with the crisis created by the current pandemic has completely missed the education sector. The education sector is not meant to be “for profit”, but it is still an economic activity providing livelihood to millions.’
He added, ‘The teachers and the other staff members of the public funded institutions, which include state universities, aided colleges and schools, unaided colleges and schools and private universities, are facing serious financial issues. While state universities are facing a sudden increase in their budget deficits as their sources of revenues on account of entrance examinations, examinations and fee have shrunk, the grants from the states are also getting delayed. Parents are appealing for fee cuts due to the reductions in their incomes. The students have also launched protests. Unaided schools and colleges, which completely depend upon fee from students, are facing tough times with many on verge of closure. The staff in many educational institutions has been working without salary for many months now. The households where both husbands and wives are teachers or where the single earning member is a teacher are facing deep trouble. There have been job losses. Moreover, the temporary, contractual teachers and guest faculty have been worse hit.’