University Teachers in Tamil Nadu Launch Four-Phase Protest Over Unimplemented Career Benefits
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) and the Madurai Kamaraj, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Teresa and Alagappa University Teachers' Association (MUTA) have declared a comprehensive four-phase protest campaign, commencing on February 24. This statewide agitation targets the prolonged non-implementation of career advancement scheme (CAS) benefits for educators in government-aided colleges.
Phases of the Agitation
The associations have outlined a structured escalation of their protest activities:
- Phase One (February 24): A human chain protest will be formed in front of colleges across the state to draw public attention to their demands.
- Phase Two (February 26): Copies of the relevant government order will be resubmitted to the director of collegiate education, reinforcing the formal request for implementation.
- Phase Three (February 28): A road blockade protest is planned to increase pressure on authorities.
- Phase Four (Starting March 5): A continuous sit-in protest will be held at the directorate of collegiate education until the demands are met.
Background of the Issue
A Xavier Selvakumar, general secretary of AUT, explained the core issue. "Based on the recommendations of the University Grants Commission and the Seventh Pay Commission, the Tamil Nadu government issued Government Order Ms. No. 5 from the higher education department on January 11, 2021. This order ensures career advancement benefits for teachers working in universities and colleges. Subsequently, the director of collegiate education issued guidelines for implementing the GO. However, it has not been implemented for teachers working in government-aided colleges for over five years," he stated.
Selvakumar highlighted the uneven implementation across regions. "Only in Coimbatore and Thanjavur have teachers been granted CAS salaries, but without arrears. In the remaining six regions, including Chennai, only orders were issued, while neither CAS salaries nor arrears were provided," he added, emphasizing the widespread neglect.
Impact on Education and Students
K Periyasamy, president of MUTA, detailed the broader consequences of this delay. "Due to the non-implementation of CAS benefits for associate professors, faculty members have been unable to admit additional research scholars as per UGC norms. As a result, over the past three years, nearly 1,000 economically disadvantaged rural students have lost the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies," he said, labeling this a significant societal loss.
Periyasamy further noted the frustration among teachers despite repeated efforts. "Despite numerous forms of protests over the past five years, and assurances given during three meetings with the higher education minister, Govi Chezhiaan, the promised career advancement benefits are yet to be implemented," he lamented, underscoring the broken promises and administrative inertia.
Broader Implications
The protest highlights critical issues in Tamil Nadu's higher education sector:
- Financial Inequity: Teachers in government-aided colleges continue to be deprived of rightful salary advancements, affecting their morale and financial stability.
- Academic Stagnation: The inability to admit research scholars hampers academic progress and research output in universities.
- Social Disadvantage: Economically vulnerable students from rural areas are disproportionately affected, losing access to higher education opportunities.
- Governance Failures: The gap between policy issuance and implementation reflects systemic delays in administrative processes.
As the four-phase protest unfolds, it aims to mobilize support and compel the state government to honor its commitments, ensuring that career advancement benefits are fully and uniformly implemented across all regions, thereby safeguarding the interests of educators and students alike.
