Lecturer selection process set for revamp

The committee will be assessing such issues as the minimum qualification for lecturers—currently at 55 per cent marks at the Master’s level. Different universities have incomparable evaluation systems, Mungekar said, and in some subjects a higher score is easier to achieve than in others. Examining how to create a level playing field for all aspirants will top the committee’s agenda.

Again, the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (NET) is presently the one-size-fits-all criterion for lecturer appointments. Among its other anomalies, points out Mungekar, the same examination serves to select both teachers and research scholars—top rankers receive research fellowships and those with lower scores get lecture eligibility. According to Mungekar, this leads, on the one hand, to teaching being seen as inferior to research. On the other, the present system provides no incentive for the pursuit of a PhD, discouraging potential teachers from enhancing their skills.

Call for NET change

• Existing cut-off is a uniform 55 per cent at Master’s level. Problem: Evaluation systems are different across universities

• National Eligibility Test is the criterion for appointment of lecturers. Top rankers get research fellowships while those with lower scores are eligible to become lecturers.

Problem: Teaching is seen as inferior to research. Besides, no incentive for lecturers to pursue PhD