DU clears code of ethics for teachers, 2nd term for V-C

While students don’t agree with decisions entirely, most believe that power to take major decisions should not rest with a single individual.

Delhi University’s executive council on Thursday approved the passage of professional code of ethics for teachers — an exhaustive set of guidelines created by UGC in 2010, detailing the ideal code of conduct for higher education teachers.
The council also amended a university statute making the sitting Vice-Chancellor eligible for another term of office, instead of the prescribed “five years of office”.

The decisions received strong opposition from some teachers’ groups, who are “against the very idea of codification of professional ethics for the teaching community” and feel that “a five-year term is good enough for any Vice-Chancellor”.
While students don’t agree with the decisions entirely, most believe that the power to take major decisions should not rest with a single individual.

The Code of Professional Ethics are general guidelines, that make “violations by teachers” punishable. “If the circumstances so warrant, the V-C may direct the governing body of the college to initiate action against a teacher on the grounds of misconduct, failing which the V-C may take such action as provided for in the act, statutes and ordinances of the university,” the agenda states.

“The guidelines are generalised, broad, and quite ambiguous. …they can be easily misused by people in authority. Our contracts already have service conditions laid down in them. What is the requirement of additional instructions?” Aditya Narayan Misra, member of the university Executive Council (EC), said.

However, other EC members clarified that the fears were misplaced because the action taken by the V-C would be “guided” by the acts and statutes of the university. The code will also discourage absenteeism amongst teachers, another EC member said. “Besides, teachers should understand that extending second term for V-C does not mean the sitting V-C will get an additional term. Due process will be followed in the appointment,” an EC member said.

“According to the council’s decision, principals will now have a five-year term, with eligibility of reappointment for one more term after the due selection process is followed,” Abha Dev Habib, an EC member, said.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram