UGC Autonomy Move to Hurt Weaker Sections of Society: AMU Teachers Association

1. UGC Autonomy Move to Hurt Weaker Sections of Society: AMU Teachers Association The Association argues that the central Government made a deliberate step towards privatization of higher education .The move to grant Financial Autonomy to central universities including AMU is a glaring proof of this. Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) expressed serious concern over the central government’s move to grant financial “Autonomy “to AMU and many other top Universities and Colleges. UGC Autonomy Move to Hurt Weaker Sections of Society .The Teachers Body dubbed the move as highly “Discriminatory “as it would deprive the weaker sections of the right to get access to quality technical education.Their main Point of contention is that the move would put higher education at the mercy of education mafia and private entities. The Policy would sabotage the right of weaker sections of society that constitute about 80 percent from higher and technical education. UGC Autonomy Move to Hurt Weaker Sections of Society. Deliberations on similar lines were taken in the resolution passed by the members of its executive council. The raging debate over the grant of financial autonomy has rekindled the argument over jettisoning the rights of socially and economically backward sections of society to get quality higher education. This Autonomy would dilute the very founding principle of the university which is to serve those hailing from lower strata of society. In Addition, this would further, negate the essence of AMU‘s basic tenets of maintaining its historic character. UGC Autonomy Move to Hurt Weaker Sections of Society. The Dictatorial move undoubtedly has no relation whatsoever to teach, educate or engage with ideas. The Inherent “Arrogance “implied in the move stands in stark violation of the principle of Equity and Higher Education for each and every one. The force of Argument put forward by The Teachers Association is that AMU as a Central University has always been granted functional Autonomy by the act

2. of parliament since 1920. UGC Autonomy Move to Hurt Weaker Sections of Society. However, the proposed Policy of Financial Autonomy would provide total freedom in the hands of the heads of all autonomous institutions from the Established rules and regulations and would result in the Exploitation of teaching, Non-teaching staffs and students . From long term perspective, this would perpetuate corruption in the higher echelons of education comprising of central government Autonomous bodies. UGC Autonomy Move to Hurt Weaker Sections of Society .The Teachers’ Association also found fault with the Financing pattern of Higher Education. HEFA is the new buzzword which has replaced the traditional grant system. To repay the loans, Fees and routine charges shall have to be increased again putting burden on the students from obtaining higher education from the best institutions.