SHILLONG: The Don Bosco College Management in Tura has said it did not receive a copy of the memorandum that was allegedly submitted by the Teachers’ Association of the institution to the Education Minister as claimed by Independent MLA John Leslee Sangma during the budget session in the Assembly recently.
In a press communiqué on Sunday, the college management said some of the teachers said they were not aware of the memorandum.
It also clarified the charges that were leveled against the college. The first was that college shut down two departments — BBA and Bengali. To this, the management said the college was incurring a huge financial liability to pay the staff of these departments. Also, “considering the need to open new courses and to be in keeping with the demands of the times, the management decided to close the two departments and accordingly the teaching staff were informed, well in advance”, the press communiqué said.
“Due process was followed in the closure of these departments such as advanced information to those concerned, completion of courses by students who had started studying these courses,” it added.
The second issue raised by the MLA was continuation of the principal in office after retirement.
To this, the management said the current Principal, Rev Dr George Plathottam, was nominated by the Provincial, who is the head of the Salesian Province of Guwahati, which established and manages the Don Bosco College. He was appointed against the background of non-cooperation and agitation by a section of the teaching staff against the previous Principal Rev. Dr P.D. John.
“Though highly qualified and experienced, his appointment was blocked by certain vested interested groups and persons. However, on attaining the age of 60, the DHTE was duly informed of rules as per NEHU and UGC that permit the principal to continue. The management has initiated the process of appointing a new principal and Dr Plathottam has not drawn any salary from the government and is rendering voluntary service,” the press release said.
About exorbitant admission fees and harassment of teachers, the management said the charges were baseless and unfounded. “As college records show, the annual fees cum tuition fees were raised last in 2014 when there was a substantial increase in the salary of non-sanctioned teachers,” the press statement said.
The college also said a few teachers were neglecting their duties. “The management has been concerned about the poor results of the students in certain subjects and overall poor academic performance. In the past too the Principals have experienced lack of cooperation from some teachers whenever efforts were made toward improvement… demanding duty hours as per rules and compliance with other directives concerning leave etc have been labeled as harassment,” the statement said.
