The row over JNU’s offer of Rs 500 for a 90-minute class for tutors, explained

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is facing criticism over a recent job posting for a tutor. Many people, including current scholars at the varsity, have pointed out the paltry amount being offered for the listing.

What is the row about? What has been the reaction? Let’s take a closer look.

JNU’s job posting raises eyebrows

A notice issued by JNU’s Centre of Arabic and African Studies under the School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies seeking “remedial tutors” for teaching varsity students has come into the limelight.

As per The Telegraph, the varsity will pay Rs 500 per 90-minute class to these tutors, however, conditions apply.

“An honorarium of Rs 500 per class of 90 minutes will be paid subject to availability of funds,” the notice reads.

Candidates who have cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) are eligible to apply, the notice dated 18 September 2023 says.

Those who pass NET after completing a master’s degree can teach in colleges or universities.

Mainly research scholars take up remedial tutoring to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds, reported The Telegraph.

Speaking to NDTV, a former JNUSU office bearer explained that students can take remedial classes for certain difficult subjects. As regular professors have limited time in classes, the departments rope in PhD students as ‘remedial tutors’ to teach these students.

What’s the controversy? 

JNU is facing flak over the notice. Social media users and faculty members have highlighted how the meagre payment would discourage candidates from applying for such teaching jobs.

Abhay Kumar, a history PhD student at JNU, wrote on social media, “JNU professors get salary in lakhs and a guest teacher for taking remedial classes for as long as 90 minutes is to be paid just Rs 500. Nothing can be so shameful and exploitative than this.”

JNU professors get a salary in lakhs and a guest teacher for taking remedial classes for as long as 90 minutes is to be paid just Rs 500. Nothing can be so shameful and exploitative than this. #JNU #JNUStudents #JNUCampus #highereducation #exploitation #discrimination pic.twitter.com/NOKDOSKaDs

— Dr. Abhay Kumar (@abhaykumarjnu) September 25, 2023

“It is a shameful state of JNU today. Offering jobs at Rs 500 per 1.5 hours of teaching (subject to availability of the fund). Yes, they can decide to not pay at all. Central university levels of pay at the very least must be maintained for such work,” commented Saib Bilawal, another scholar at JNU, as per The New Indian Express (TNIE). 

According to The Telegraph, the honorarium is well below the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines which have set a remuneration of Rs 1,500 per lecture (one hour of direct teaching) subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000 per month for a guest faculty.

Abha Dev Habib, a faculty member at Miranda House College, and Rajesh Jha, who teaches at Rajdhani College told The Telegraph that although remedial tutors are not guest faculty, the pay being offered is “exploitative”. “This is exploitation of candidates. Even though tutoring may not be teaching, the person will spend 90 minutes on the assignment,” Habib said.

Speaking to TNIE, Shraddha Pal, an assistant professor at Delhi University’s SFUS, said that in 2014 a remedial tutor was paid only Rs 250 for a 90-minute lecture in JNU.

“I believe people who want to add the job experience to their CVs don’t look at the money. Also, as part of PhD studies, students are generally asked to remain engaged in remedial tutoring. However, even a painter gets Rs 700 for his day’s work. The teachers’ worth should be valued,” Pal added.

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JNU’s department responds

Mujeebur Rahman, chairperson of the Centre of Arabic and African Studies, told TNIE that it is the varsity that decides the remuneration. “These rates are decided by the university. We have nothing to do with this. Our office had this proforma with them and they issued this notice on that basis. Our department has a total of nine teachers with 250 students. As of now, the notice was issued to hire three remedial tutors.”

According to Rahman, all centres under the School of Language and Culture Studies in JNU offer the same pay.

Meanwhile, JNU has said it is making appointments in “mission mode”.  “The largest recruitment spree since the founding of JNU in last 19 months. Till now 331 faculty positions have been advertised and about 186 Selection Committees have been conducted, including 128 reserved positions,” the university wrote on X.

The largest recruitment spree since the founding of JNU in last 19 months. Till now 331 faculty positions have been advertised and about 186 Selection Committees have been conducted, including 128 reserved positions.
First time JNU has appointed Professors in ST category.

1/3 pic.twitter.com/1yzVP0daHF

— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) September 26, 2023

JNU has also appointed professors from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category for the first time ever.

With inputs from agencies