University of Madras yet to pay invigilators, evaluators, and government colleges for conduct of semester exams, says teachers’ body

Colleges are unable to have staff take up invigilation and evaluation for practical sessions though the university has mandated practical exams for every subject

According to the Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association (TNGCTA), the University of Madras is yet to pay remuneration to teachers for invigilation and evaluation of answer scripts for three semesters. It hasn’t reimbursed the affiliated government colleges for conducting examinations. The university has 145 affiliated colleges, comprising 122 non-autonomous institutions and 23 autonomous colleges.

In a college, some teachers have received remuneration while the rest have not. Colleges usually depute faculty for evaluation. “Usually, self-financing college teachers take up the job as it is a source of extra income. For the past three semesters, we noticed that many were yet to receive remuneration. In a department where five persons went for evaluation, only three have been paid. When payment is delayed, teachers avoid evaluation work as they have to spend out of pocket for transportation,” the principal said.

Colleges are unable to have staff take up invigilation and evaluation for practical sessions though the university has mandated practical exams for every subject, except for languages, according to sources. Teachers said the university collected ₹1,000 per paper as examination fee from students. In addition to this, the students paid for re-examination and revaluation even before the semester results were released, but they do not receive a refund if they are successful in the semester exams.

“The parents and students complain to us, whereas we have sent their money to the university,” the principal said. “All faculty are complaining to me. We are not able to get the service of external faculty members for practical exams as we are unable pay the remuneration. Previously, it used to be reimbursed by university,” the principal added. Last semester, the university drew ire after it bungled question paper distribution and their coding.

S. Suresh, general secretary of TNGCTA, said the valuation remuneration had not been paid to teachers.

Government colleges suffer

The university owes several crores of rupees to non-autonomous government colleges for the conduct of exams as well. In a statement, the association urged the university to pay the colleges.

Mr. Suresh said colleges in Uthiramerur, Tiruvottiyur, Nemmeli, R.K. Nagar, Tiruttani, Kundrathur, Perumbakkam, and Chengalpattu, had not been reimbursed the expenses on semester examinations. Together, the colleges sent to the university around ₹3 crore, collected as examination fee from students. In return, the university must pay colleges around ₹30 lakh for the two semesters to enable them to conduct semester examinations.

“The university has collected the exam fee from students but has not paid the colleges to conduct exams for the April and November semesters. The principals or teachers in charge of the exams paid from their own pocket,” Mr. Suresh added.

Published - December 15, 2024 08:18 pm IST