| Contractual lecturers face uncertain future | | ET, PhD qualified candidates being paid peanuts | | Majid Ahmad
Srinagar, Feb 17: Mushtaq Ahmad (name changed), 38, qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) in social science stream nearly a decade ago. Prior to that he passed his master's degree with first division. Even after being eligible for lecturer's job, Mushtaq continued his studies and completed M. Phil and P. HD degrees.
But even after completing all these degrees, Mushtaq hasn't been able to get a job even after struggling for 10 years.
"My parents had a dream that I should become a lecturer in university. To fulfill their dream, I burnt midnight oil and did everything whatever is required to qualify the interview. But alas even after a decade my career is in doldrums due to the indifferent approach of authorities," dejected Mushtaq told Early Times.
"Qualifying NET was considered as phenomenal achievement those days. The day I qualified NET, my friends and relatives visited our house for several days to congratulate me. Everybody thought that a decent job is in offing for me now, but I didn't know that destiny has something else for me," he said.
To sustain himself Mushtaq has been teaching at various premier coaching institutes of Srinagar. Also he works as a contractual teaching assistant for six to eight months in a government college where he is being paid Rs 12000 a month.
The delay to get a permanent job closed prospects of marriage for Mushtaq. "Although initially I was willing to marry as I had thought I'll get a job easily, but now I think I can't marry unless I'm in job. I can't find a suitable match without a permanent job," he said.
Mushtaq says with proud that he is being invited by premier coaching institutions for teaching civil service aspirants.
"Number of my students qualified Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) exams and I feel happy when I see them now," he said.
Asked why he didn't himself try for the civil service, he said, "Teaching is my passion and I feel I can contribute to society better as a teacher. All these years I was hoping that one day or the other I'll become lecturer, but now I've realized that I committed a mistake. I've crossed the upper age limit and now I'm not eligible for any job."
Mushtaq's last hope now is that the government will keep its promise of regularizing those contractual lecturers who have NET, Ph D and have five years of teaching experience.
Andleeb (name changed), another contractual lecturer said that number of posts are lying vacant in Kashmir University for several years.
Andleeb's accusation comes in the backdrop of the fact that several posts which are lying vacant in the Kashmir University weren't advertised for years to give "blue-eyed" candidates a chance.
"In several departments posts are being advertised only when a close relative of University authorities becomes eligible to apply. Even in some cases posts are delayed for years together," an official of the KU said on the condition of anonymity.
|
|
