Colleges cannot insist on fees or sack teachers: AICTE

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:17.04.2020

Technical colleges, including engineering, management, polytechnic colleges, cannot insist on payment of tuition and admission fees during the ongoing lockdown. These colleges cannot terminate teachers or hold back their salaries during this period, stated the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in a directive issued on Wednesday.

The council also clarified that students who are unable to complete their internships from home can fulfil the requirement in December this year. Directions on exams, however, is awaited, it said. The council said that attendance could be relaxed for online lectures, considering unavailability of internet and poor bandwidth in some areas.

After receiving complaints on standalone institutions charging fees during the lockdown, the council clarified that they cannot insist on fees till the lockdown is lifted and normalcy is restored. Termination letters given to any teachers during this period have to be withdrawn. A letter clarifying this has been sent to chief secretaries of states.

AICTE also said online classes should continue during the lockdown, and that a revised academic calendar will be issued soon. The council said that the decision on semesterend exams, the modalities, award of marks and passing criteria will be taken soon by a UGC-appointed committee. It asked students to pursue internships from home if possible, or to fulfill the requirement in December.

The council asked colleges to allow students in the vicinity to access internet services, even if they are from other colleges.

It also discouraged the circulation of fake news and asked people to rely only on official websites of MHRD/UGC/AICTE for information. The circular clarified that the PM Special Scholarship Scheme has been delayed for the upcoming academic session due to restricted access to internet, but it will resume post the lockdown.