SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, March 31: Teachers’ associations from four universities in Jharkhand have strongly opposed the inclusion of Labour Day (May 1) as a holiday for university teachers. Office bearers argue that since teachers do not fall under the labour category, the holiday should be removed from the academic calendar.
The decision to grant university teachers a holiday on Labour Day was introduced by Raj Bhawan in 2024 by curtailing other existing leaves. Teachers point out that Bihar and several other states do not grant a Labour Day holiday to university faculty.
Teachers Demand Parity in Leave Policy
President of the Kolhan University Teachers’ Association (KUTA), Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, emphasized that teachers are nation-builders, not labourers, and urged Raj Bhawan to revoke the May 1 holiday while reinstating the previously curtailed leaves.
He further highlighted that university teachers receive 13 fewer leave days compared to non-teaching staff. “We want leaves at par with state government employees or non-teaching staff”, he said.
Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) Teachers’ Association (VBUTA) Secretary, Dr. Binod Kumar Ranjan, called the Labour Day holiday for teachers inappropriate and meaningless. He asserted that instead of granting this holiday, teachers should be given total leave at par with non-teaching staff. He also mentioned that the matter is currently pending in court.
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Opposition from Multiple Universities
Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University (BBMKU) Teachers’ Association (BBMKUTA) Secretary, Dr. Amulya Suman Beck, echoed similar sentiments, questioning why a Labour Day holiday was granted to teachers after reducing other leaves when they do not belong to the labour category.
Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU) Teachers’ Association Secretary, Dr. Santosh Kumar Sil, also voiced opposition, stating that Raj Bhawan’s decision effectively categorizes university teachers as labourers. He criticized the move, pointing out that the Labour Day holiday came at the cost of reduced Durga Puja and summer vacation leaves.
“Raj Bhawan, which issues the annual calendar, seems to classify university teachers as laborers; otherwise, it wouldn’t have granted a Labour Day holiday while cutting down Durga Puja and summer vacation leaves,” Sil said.
Teachers Receive Fewer Leaves Than Non-Teaching Staff
University teachers are entitled to 13 fewer leave days compared to non-teaching staff. As per the current leave structure, non-teaching staff receive a total of 49 leave days (33 earned leaves and 16 casual leaves), while teachers are allotted only 12 earned leaves and 8 casual leaves.
Although teachers are granted a 20-day summer vacation from June 1 to 20, Sundays and other holidays within this period reduce the actual number of leave days to 16.
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Opposition to Restricted Leave Classification
Teachers’ associations have also opposed the classification of seven restricted leave days, where tribal, minority, and Hindu teachers are granted holidays only on their respective festivals.
Office bearers argue that such a system would significantly impact student learning, as the absence of a large number of teachers on different days would disrupt academic schedules.
