Mr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, the education minister of India addressed the issue of Ad hoc teachers at the University of Delhi on February 4, 2021. He answered certain questions pertaining to the issue in parliament. According to the education minister, a total of 56 ad hoc teachers have been appointed in the current academic year 2020-21. Subsequently, college-wise and year-wise information about the ad hoc teachers in 57 DU colleges was also presented under Annexure-1.
The education minister responded to the questions asked by Mr Vishambhar Prasad Nishad, Mr Sukhram Singh Yadav and Mrs. Chhaya Verma. The Delhi University had informed the education ministry that 56 ad hoc teachers were appointed in the current academic year. These teachers were appointed in the various departments of the university. The education minister also informed Rajya Sabha about the process of filling up vacancies in the concerned university.
The process of filling-up vacancies is endless and continuous. Moreover, these vacancies arise due to a variety of reasons. These reasons include retirements, resignations, deaths, deputations, expansion or opening of new institutions, etc. According to the parliamentary act, the responsibility of filling-up the posts lies with the university, an autonomous institution.
The education minister further mentioned the regulations specified by the University Grants Commission (UGC). According to the UGC rules, all the approved or sanctioned vacancies present in the university must be filled on an urgent basis. Moreover, the UGC and the education ministry are consistently monitoring the entire appointing process.
In July 2019, a total of 857 permanent faculty vacancies of Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor were advertised. The subsequent appointments in various colleges were undertaken by the respective college governing bodies in accordance with the procedure laid down by the authorities.
Mr Pokhriyal further ensured that the university has informed the government about taking every possible effort to make sure that all vacant positions are filled within the specified time. In the meantime, certain ad hoc professors are present within colleges to avoid any disruptions and continue the teaching process. These teachers shall continue their teaching process till the permanent faculty members are assigned.
The education ministry also provided college-wise and year-wise information about the number of ad hoc teachers appointed by Delhi University. The information was presented in the parliament under Annexure-1 with details of the last 5 years i.e., 2016 to 2020. The annexure contains information about 57 colleges affiliated with Delhi University. According to the information, the number of ad hoc teachers appointed in the last 5 years lie within the same range for each college.
