Minority institutions seek permanent recognition, fee exemption, protection of rights

Minority institutions seek permanent recognition, fee exemption, protection of rights

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK  25.04.2024 

Chennai : Permanent recognition for minority institutions, protecting their rights on formation of selection committees to appoint principals and teaching staff and exemption from paying provisional affiliation fee every year were among the list of demands submitted by minority institutions in a memorandum to higher education minister K Ponmudy on Saturday. The charter of demands also pressed for extension of higher education concession (fee reimbursement) to govtaided school students, removal of ban on staff appointments among others. 

Speaking at the consultation on school and higher education by One Accord Forum in Chennai, Madras Christian College principal Paul Wilson said, “Minority institutions have been endowed with the privilege of constituting their own panel of experts as per the framework given by the govt and UGC to appoint teachers.” “Autonomous higher education institutions have been affiliated to their respective universities permanently. 

However, universities are demanding continuation of provisional affiliation every year,” he said, asking the minister to getrid of glitches inef fective implementation of minority rights. Speaking at the event, DMK MP P Wilson, said that Muslims and Christians had constituted 35% and 15% in govt offices during the colonial era. “In free India, only 3.5% and 1% were Muslims and Christians. But, it is in contrast with an upper caste community which holds 80% jobs in judiciary and 36% to 63% plump jobs of the country,” Wilson said. He further said the DMK govt will continue to fight to protect the rights of minorities and will safeguard the constitutional rights that are under threat. Ponmudy highlighted various schemes implemented by DMK govt for students.

ON THE DAIS: MCC principal Paul Wilson and Zion schools chairman, N Vijayan, with higher education minister K Ponmudy. Minister for milk and dairy development Mano Thangaraj, DMK MP Wilson are also seen