On November 3, representatives of the Akhil Maharashtra Federation of Non-Government Colleges and the Association of Non-Government Colleges met Minister of Higher and Technical Education Datta Rane to discuss some pressing educational issues.

Secretary General of the Akhil Maharashtra Federation, K R Patil, told the minister that colleges were facing stiff opposition from teachers' unions for employing teaching staff on a clock-hour basis as it affects the quality of teaching since the teachers were unhappy with the paltry payment of Rs 30 to 35 per hour and were also unsure about the continuation of the job.

Datta Rane in principle agreed with the principals' delegation and stated that the Education Department had already intimated theState Department of Finance that the clock-hour basis (as part of the State's cost-cutting measures) does not seem correct in case of teachers. The Additional Secretary (Higher & Technical Education), R C Iyer also assured the principals that as on 1997-98 all the existing posts of teachers will not be considered as new posts for appointments on clock-hour basis. In a press release, the Federation and ANGC have stated that they are hopeful of a State circular being issued in this regard.

Earlier this year, on June 2, the State had issued a government resolution (GR) directing colleges to ban regular appointment of teachers, as part of the cost-cutting measures. But teachers all over Maharashtra had resented this circular.

The negotiations, according to the press note, also had a positive outcome over the issue of reimbursement of tuition fee to students from Economically Backward Class. Reportedly, three years ago the annual tuition fees for senior college students was increased from Rs 400 to Rs 800 --however, the State is still only reimbursing half the amount to the students, that is Rs 400. Datta Rane assured teachers that Education Department has already asked the Finance Department to consider full reimbursement of the amount since the Central Government is providing backward class students a reimbursement of Rs 800 annually.