Mangalore: Teachers from 20 states converge for AIFUCTO conference

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Nov 30: The 27th Statutory Conference of All India Federation of University & College Teachers’ Organizations (AIFUCTO)  was inaugurated by union minister for transportation, road and highways Oscar Fernandes on Saturday November 30 at Loyola Hall, St Aloysius PU College.

Nearly 2,000 teachers from more than 20 states from all over the country participating in the national seminar on 'Changing Paradigms of Higher Education -12th Plan Initiatives' to be held from November 30 to December 2.

The conference was organized by AIFUCTO and Association of Mangalore University College Teachers (AMUCT) in association with Federation of University and College teacher’s Association in Karnataka (FUCTAK) and St Aloysisus College (Autonomous).

J R Lobo MLA, released the conference souvenir. Capt Ganesh Karnik, MLC, was the chief guest. Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy, vice-chancellor, Mangalore University presided over the occasion along with various other dignitaries on the dais.
 
Speaking after the inauguration, Oscar Fernandes said, "Teaching has distinctly changed as the students today have a different thought. American President Obama had once in his address to students asked them to be aware of the students of India and Bangalore; this clearly shows the extent to which our state and country is recognized.

"Six members of my family including myself are teachers, and I am always willing to attend programmes in schools and colleges and educational institutes. Education is a major challenge faced by our country today. We will become an economic power one day, but we will continue to be an intellectual power even then. There are 18 legislations pending to be passed in the parliament pertaining to education," he added.

He further said, "I had been earlier been chosen to be the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, which was one of the high points of my political career. The legislature that every child must be given education has been passed two years ago and we need to work hard to achieve and maintain that level.

"India is lagging behind in research. Education must be provided to every child in the country. Students should not stop learning once they get a job. By 2020 everybody should be literate. Education must motivate students to take up research and teaching. There is so much more to be explored in the field of education," he added.
 
In his address, J R Lobo said that higher educational institutes have to act as a guiding force to the youth and help them to achieve their goals and manifest themselves, but we are lagging behind as none of the institutions are providing the required environment and field to enable students to manifest their skills.

"We need to introspect as to why our youth are not attaining higher educational qualifications. Hence higher education must be given more importance and priority," he added.

None of our universities have global fame, today is the day we find where we are going wrong. Unless we show the path to the youth, we are in difficulty. In the next three days, we can think on the lines of upgrading our universities to global standards. I hope Mangalore will set the trend for new policies on higher education.”
 
Capt Ganesh Karnik, MLC said, “Coastal Karnataka is famous for education. India has a legacy in education. The achievement of ISRO is an eye opener for the entire world. In Karnataka, nearly 1,40,00,000 students are attending educational institutions everyday with more than 4,00,000 teachers. The challenge lies in the ability to convert the human resource to explore to its fullest potential."
 
Fr Denzil Lobo, rector, St Aloysius Institutions, highlighted the problem with the current education system where there is no link between primary, higher secondary and higher education, which is causing an anomaly in the quality of education.
 
Prof Tarun Kumar Patra, president, AIFUCTO said, “Today, under the neo-liberal economic conditions, privatization, commercialization and commoditization of higher education in the global market has emerged as major threats to the access, equity and quality. Access is being denied to the lower depths of society. So called private and foreign education providers are invited by the government to enter the arena of higher education in India for profiteering.”
 
Speaking on the problems of the teachers, he said “In most states, the teachers are not getting their 80% arrears from January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2010. Teachers are being deprived of MPhil/PhD increments. Excepting Tripura, West Bengal and Kerala, the pension scheme, the strongest social measures have been withdrawn. A very large community of teachers consisting of part time, contractual, guest lecturers are working with a meagre amount of emoluments without any security of service and avenues of promotions. It is my firm belief that our united actions and well organized movements will overcome the challenges of globalization.”

Dr Norbert Lobo, president, AMUCT proposed the vote of thanks.