the goan I network
PANAJI
With a new notification issued by the Goa University, to which the Chancellor of the University, the Goa governor gave her assent on October 25, a 15 year domicile certificate, and knowledge of Konkani, has been made mandatory to be appointed to the post of lecturer in college sections affiliated to the University, as well as the Goa University itself.
The GU notification, which was issued after the Executive Council of the University gave a green signal to the new appointment rules for University staff on September 27, deviates from the usual rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC) which allows for qualified candidates from anywhere in the country to be selected to posts in college sections and universities. The other minimum eligibility criteria for these posts remain the same.
Even though only Goans will be eligible to fill these posts, according to the notification, the advertisement for these posts in Goa will continue to be issued in newspapers across the country.
This same rule will apply to candidates being selected for contract teaching posts.
In case no suitable candidate is found which fulfills all the minimum eligibility criteria, the case will be referred
to the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) which will form a committee to study the case, and then decide whether a candidate who does not have the 15 year domicile and knowledge of Konkani, but fulfills either criteria can be appointed.
The move is an unusual one because the norm across the country is that if a candidate has the National Eligibility Test (NET) certification, s/he is eligible to teach in any college/university anywhere in the country, irrespective of knowledge of the local language, or how many years one has been living in the State.
The controversy surrounding the 15 year domicile certificate and knowledge of Konkani had turned political some months ago, with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) pushing for both.
