Kochi: The High Court said that teaching experience is not a myth and giving instructions while digging as a National Service Scheme (NSS) coordinator is not teaching experience. Teaching experience is a fact. Therefore, asso. Appointment to the post of Professor cannot be made without any guidelines. Justice Devan Ramachandran stated that the UGC guidelines should be followed in this regard.
Chief Minister’s Private Secretary K.K. Ragesh’s wife Priya Varghese has been appointed as an associate in Kannur University. The court’s reference was while considering a petition against being appointed as a professor. The criticism of the court came when he did not give an accurate answer to the question whether he had taken classes while working as Director of Students Service and NSS Coordinator.
Kannur University Malayalam Assoc. The decision was adjourned on Thursday after the arguments of all the parties in the petition filed by the head of the Malayalam department of Changanassery SB College, Joseph Skaria, who is second behind Priya in the provisional list for the appointment of the post of professor.
Priyak Aso. Petitioner’s contention is that he does not have teaching experience for the appointment of professor. Teaching experience after research period is less than three years. He also stated that he has a total of five years and five days of teaching experience.
However, Priya Varghese raised the argument that the research period without taking leave can be considered as part of service and the work done on deputation is part of teaching experience. Assoc only if research is done along with teaching. The UGC has clarified that teaching experience can be considered as part of the teaching experience for appointment as a professor.
The university registrar also reiterated on Wednesday that Priya has sufficient teaching experience. The court inquired several times from Priya whether there was a proposal to teach during the deputation period and whether the document stating this was given along with the application. The court also clarified that only documents produced in such a manner can be taken into account. After that, the argument was completed and the plea was moved to judge.