All others states accepted UGC norms for pension age and got huge amounts, Kerala is dilly dallying

By O.J.George

I was wondering, what is happening to the thought processes in Kerala with regard to education and improvement of quality?

'Extremists' say life begins at 70. Forget about it. Could the professional life end at 55? That is ridiculous. But that is what is happening in Kerala, God’s Own Country.

This is true of even professional people. For example, college teachers, they mature in proficiency and experience by about 50, but by 55 they have to call it a day.

That is nothing but big loss to the nation, the student community and the teachers themselves.

UGC wants all teachers to continue till 65. In fact, the UGC has a stipulation with regard to giving aid for salary revision.

Only if the government agrees to the superannuation limit of 65, will it give the aid.

Here in Kerala Education Minister M.A.Baby has been trying to get the huge amount of money from the UGC towards pay revision for teachers by hiking the pension age.

Reports appeared in the media to the effect that CPI initially objected to the proposal. It seems DYFI also has some reservations. Perhaps the Youth Congress and the KSU also may chip in.

There is something called macro economics on the supply side. You get a lot of money for your people in the state from the UGC.

The money is dispersed within Kerala. The money does not go to Switzerland or some God-forsaken Banana Republic in Africa or elsewhere.

There are politicians who stash their money abroad. If the money is splashed around within the country, the supply side would be activated and that would rejuvenate the economy.

Even the US is after dishing out the money stashed elsewhere.

Here our own leaders deny to our professionals the money that the UGC and the Central government are giving.

One knowledgeable person recounted to me once. We must receive all the money for developmental works available from World Ban, IMF, Asian Development Bank or otherwise.Let the work be done, repayment would ensue one way or other.

Like that let the money be received from the UGC, if the pension age has to be hiked, it should be hiked.

The quality of teaching in colleges is coming down, simply because the vacancies are not filled. Thousands of vacancies remain unfilled. There is stop-gap arrangement by engaging guest lecturers who are given Rs 3,000 a month.

In the circumstances, quality improvement can be ensured by enhancing the pension age to 60, 62 or 65.

Enhancement of pension age for other government staff can be considered in phases, if not done outright.