Hyderabad: Contract assistant professors hit the streets demanding regularisation of services

Protesting teachers lamented that they were tired of being overlooked, overburdened and underpaid with no job security

Hyderabad: In a striking display of frustration and anger over the State government, hundreds of contract assistant professors who were supposed to be in the classrooms have hit the streets on Wednesday, demanding regularisation of their services.

On Wednesday, a large number of contract assistant professors, especially women professors, from 12 universities participated in Maha Dharna organised by the Telangana Contract Assistant Professors Joint Action Committee at Dharna Chowk here. The protesters wanted the government to go for the fresh recruitment only after regularising their services.

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Protesting teachers- several of whom have worked for several decades on contractual terms – lamented that they were tired of being overlooked, overburdened and underpaid with no job security despite performing core academic duties apart from administrative work. In fact, several contract teachers who were serving in the administrative positions recently resigned from the posts over the issue of regularisation.

Teachers who have been protesting for several weeks for now have also received support from regular teachers, intellectuals and political leaders. Extending support to the protesting teachers, UoH former professor Haragopal said the government should immediately regularise teachers’ services without any condition, in a one-time settlement, and that the Central and State governments should work together in coordination on this.

BJP MP R Krishnaiah said he would take up the issue with the State government for an immediate decision of regularisation. BRS leader and leader of opposition in legislative council Madhusudhana Chary extended the support to the teachers and said he would stand with them until their goal was achieved.

MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao, Osmania University Arts College Principal Prof. Kasim, BC Welfare Association national president Jajula Srinivas Goud, BJP Secretary Kasam Venkateshwarlu, JAC leaders Dr. Dharmateja, Dr. Parasuram, Dr. Vijayender Reddy and Dr. Upender among others also participated in the protest.