Maharashtra college professors employed on clock hour basis protest; seek adequate, timely pay

There are over 18,000 teachers employed on CHB in higher education institutes across the state in order to meet the gaps in teachers’ positions following an overwhelming number of vacancies across the state. According to an official of the state’s Department of Higher Education, there are more than 11,000 vacant full-time positions in colleges in Maharashtra. In order to meet the teaching requirements for one vacant position, two CHB professors are recruited.

These recruits must be NET-qualified and meet most other criteria for the role of assistant professor. CHB recruits in Maharashtra are currently paid Rs 900 an hour with restrictions on the number of classes they can take in a week and in a month. They are also expected to renew their position at the beginning of each academic year.

“The UGC guidelines state that CHB faculty should be paid Rs 1,500 for an hour and that does not happen. We actually get Rs 750 for a lecture because almost all colleges have 50-minute-long lectures,” said Sandeep Pathrikar, president of Maharashtra New Professors Association.

Another major demand is a permanent status in jobs. Kanchan Joshi from NET-SET-PhD Dharak Sangharsh Samiti said, “We have been working in our respective colleges for years and yet our experience is not considered valid when we apply for permanent positions. As part time teachers, at least ten years at an institute should be counted as five years for a permanent position.”

Because the CHB system only counts teaching hours, these teachers get no pay during exams, vacation, holidays or semester breaks, thus amounting to a little over 6 or 7 months of work in a year. “When there is such a dearth of full time teachers across the state, why does the government not grant CHB teachers these positions instead of hiring more staff on CHB?” Asked Pathrikar.

The state education department said that while the hourly pay is unlikely to be raised immediately, the government is “taking up this matter positively and hopes to resolve these demands”. Director of Higher Education Shailendra Deolankar said, “The hourly pay saw two consecutive hikes recently, which is rare. So another hike immediately is unlikely. We also need to ensure that the cumulative pay of two CHB staff does not exceed the present pay of a full time employee.”

“The question of making them permanent employees depends on the college administrations because most of them are not government institutions,” he added. “However, we are sensitive to these demands and are hoping for an amicable solution.”