St. Stephen’s Autonomy Row: Teachers Threaten to Resign from Admin Posts
One of the teachers revealed that the Governing Body took the decision despite dissent of four members.
Some of the teachers of St. Stephen’s College have threatened to resign from various administrative posts after the decision of the governing body of the college to seek autonomy. On the other hand, students also staged a protest on March 1, 2017, opposing the institute’s decision.
Last week, the governing body of St. Stephen’s College decided to go ahead with the proposal for seeking autonomy amid student protests. A member of teachers’ association claimed that the meeting that was conducted by governing body to seek autonomy was called in an undemocratic manner, in the first place.
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Another staff member further revealed that the governing body took the decision despite dissent from four members. Therefore, the staff association has decided to resign from the administrative posts, which they have been holding on a non-remunerative basis.
The Principal of St. Stephen’s College, John Varghese, on the other hand, expressed that the decision will not have any effect on students and teachers as the minority status of the institute already gives autonomy to the college. He did not comment on teachers’ threat to resign. However, students continued to stage protests outside the principal’s office demanding to hold consultations with various stakeholders.
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The governing body of St. Stephen’s College consists of 18 members. These include teachers, elected representatives and members of the church. On February 25, 2017, the governing body decided to go ahead with the proposal of seeking autonomy even though students continued their protest against its move.