Federation of Central University Teachers’ Association (FEDCUTA) is the largest association of teachers and their unions. In an exclusive and detailed interaction with fachcha.com Aditya Narayan Mishra, President, FEDCUTA revealed many things about our education system. Some excerpts:

Q: How Many universities come under Federation of Central Universities Teachers’ Association (FEDCUTA), at present?

ANM: At Present, there are 24 central universities come under FEDCUTA including Delhi University, JNU, Jamia, Aligarh, BHU, Vishva-Bharti and others. We are trying to achieve bigger participation. There are over 25,000 teachers associated with the federation through teachers associations.

Q: Is there any plan to include Delhi Technological University (DTU) or Ambedkar University in the Federation?
ANM: No, These are state universities.

Q: How do you see the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations for teachers?

ANM: See, it is a challenge for us to ensure talent in the system and to retain them with it. For the first time we have received parity with IAS in the pay scale not for just 3-4 years, as it used to happen during earlier pay commissions, but upto 14 to 15 years we are ahead of them. This is recognition of teachers in our system.

Q: It means everything is OK with the new pay commission…
ANM: No, there are certain irritants in the recommendations too like in the pay scale and service condition is getting changed. We have serious objections to it. Our basic objection stays with the fact that whenever the pay commission comes why they (UGC and Universtiy adminstration) try to change service condition. UGC is trying to do it in a very undemocratic manner. It is trying to impose those conditions which are impossible to achieve for a teacher and in a way trying to promote sycophancy.
For example some awards have been listed and made benchmarks like Gyanpeet Award, Bhatnagar awards, Padma awards etc. These are very prestigious awards and given to the people for their lifetime achievements. They are trying to ridicule the teachers by asking them to get the awards for promotion. Again, teacher work hard to get the PhD but here the focus is on getting honorary Doctorate award. There is no recognition of genuine PhD but for honorary PhD. Classroom teaching has got no points and activities other than teaching can gather points and get promotion too. Also, colonial mindset is reflecting by the fact that publication of paper in an Indian Journal is given lesser marks in comparison with foreign journals.

Q: You talk about talent and world class infrastructure but why Indian students go abroad for their studies and face Australia like situation i.e. racism, attacks?
ANM: Qualifying percentage for admission of the most of the prime institutions, including Delhi University, has gone up every year. It is despite increase in number of seats in the university. But at the same time you look the scene at the state universities. Many state governments are not giving proper attention to their institutions in terms of infrastructure and pay scale. Some of the state government are appointing teachers at very low pay of rupees 5000 to 6000 per month. In such a situation how can you expect a world class institution and facilities? And, in such a situation capable students go to other countries for studies.

Q: But there is no fund crunch now, at least in central universities. Why are you (teaching community) not able to achieve global standard in terms of teaching and environment?
ANM: With present pay scale and fund inflow we can achieve world standard. Only thing need to take care of that recruitment or selection should be based on more qualitative assessment than quantitative assessment to ensure talent in the system. We have better talent than any other developing country have. India has great potential. There is no need to go to developed countries with begging bowl and request them to open their universities in India. In all sectors including engineering, medical, literature, publishing every where we have proved our potential. We welcome the government’s initiative to set up new IITs and IIMs. This will help to stop drainage of valuable foreign currency and our talent.

Q: As a president of the biggest teacher organization in the country (FEDCUTA) and also president of Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) what would you say about student politics in DU and whatever has happened in the DUSU election and thereafter? Is it a way to throttle the student’s politics in the university?

ANM: See, the Lingdoh Committee has never tried to understand. It has failed to address the issue in proper perspective. Without a broad vision whatever has been recommended was improper. Allowing students to spend only rupees 5000 for election is a joke. This is general statement and undermining the requirement. How can a person communicate to its electorates or how can it be possible in such a small amount of money. Ban on printed materials is again a wrong step. Age bar is ok but the way candidatures of the candidates of different organizations have been scrapped was totally undemocratic.

Q: What would you like to say about not allocating office to elected DUSU representative despite their democratic mandate? What happened to Delhi University Researchers Association (DURA)?

ANM: See, DURA is a defunct body now. Its election has not held for many years probably for last 10 years. As far as DUSU or DURA is concerned I would only like to say that every union or body must try to defend its interest.