Teachers' link to politics blamed for political appointment at DU

The political appointment at DU has become a regular practice for last several years with the growing involvement of teachers with political parties.

Now most of the university teachers are familiar for their political identity rather than their research works or academic excellencies.

Almost all university teachers have separate political identity by being a supporter or member of ruling BNP-Jamaat-backed 'White', opposition Awami League-backed 'Blue' or left- leaning-backed 'Pink' panels.

Being politically divided, the authorities give appointment to like-minded teachers to increase the vote.

Talking to The Daily Star, many DU teachers said the university authorities in most cases do not abide by the rules of the university ordinance in appointing teachers, officials and employees.

They said the authorities try to make the high-ups happy by recruiting like-minded candidates.

"When party high-ups request for a candidate, the authorities they put in chair, cannot not reject the request," said a DU teacher preferring anonymity.

The syndicate, which is always dominated by the ruling party-backed teachers, also support the like-minded candidates or the candidates having the blessings of the party high-ups.

Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) President Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said politically motivated selection committee always recruit teachers considering their political allegiance rather than their merits.

"We have told the UGC (University Grants Commission) to frame a strict policy in appointing fresh recruits in the public universities," he said, adding that the present administration has recruited a large number of teachers on personal, political and regional grounds overlooking candidates' merit.

The Duta president admitted that the teachers' political inclination influences recruiting process.

DU Treasurer Prof Syed Rashidul Hasan said the culture of political appointment has been prevailing for long at DU.

He said the standard of education at the university has been downgraded for political appointment.

"If such appointment cannot be stopped right now, the academic activities would come to a standstill within a few years," Prof Hasan said.

Eminent Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury said political appointment of teachers must be stopped and the merit should be considered for recruiting teachers at DU.

He said teachers are appointed seeing their political affiliation.

Former DU VC Prof AK Azad Chowdhury also admitted that the teachers' involvement in politics is one of the main reasons for recruiting teachers on political grounds.

He said earlier teachers at DU were appointed on their academic performance but the situation is totally different since 2001.

DU Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz, however, did not admit that teachers are appointed on political consideration.

He said the selection committee selects the candidate considering their merits, and the Syndicate only approves the selection.