Guest lecturers’ plight: Mangalore University syndicate member urges Govt action

Guest lecturers’ plight: Mangalore University syndicate member urges Govt action

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 3, 2023: S.R. Harish Acharya, the former Syndicate member of Mangalore University and the honorary president of the State Government’s Committee for the Welfare of Guest Lecturers, has urged the state government to pay more attention to the increasing workload of guest lecturers who have commenced teaching activities in colleges affiliated with Mangalore University. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday in the city, he emphasized that the government should immediately consider providing higher remuneration for the increased responsibilities of guest lecturers, who are now actively engaged in teaching the first semester.

Highlighting the current situation, he stated that there are more than 9,000 guest lecturers actively involved in teaching activities in various government colleges across the state. Among them, around 600 are in government first-grade colleges in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kodagu districts, and more than 480 are in Mangalore University and its constituent colleges.

Since 2005, the services of guest lecturers are being illegally taken for a period of 10 months in an academic year. They are being paid a paltry sum as monthly honorarium and these lecturers are devoid of leave, Provident Fund, and other service benefits. “It is high time State government stops the exploitation of guest lecturers and regularise their services,” Mr. Acharya said.

Emphasizing the financial difficulties faced by guest lecturers, Harish Acharya stated that Mangalore University has not paid their remuneration for the last three months, despite their continued service. He added that apart from the salary, no additional compensation has been provided for the examination evaluation work carried out by guest lecturers in various subjects.

Harish Acharya appealed to Mangalore University to adopt a suitable mechanism for the timely disbursement of guest lecturers’ remuneration. If the university is unable to pay the remuneration, he suggested that the state government should intervene and ensure proper arrangements for remuneration.

The press conference also touched upon issues related to the appointment of guest lecturers in government colleges. Harish Acharya criticized the government for violating its own rules and regulations in the appointment process. He argued that the government’s approach to appointing guest lecturers lacked transparency and was deemed objectionable.

Madhusudan Gatti and Bharat Nidpalli were present at the press conference.