“Union Government restores the percentage of non-medical teachers as per old MCI norms”
Providing customised health solutions & with a capability of screening 20+ essential vital parameters
In a major relief to the community of 'non-medical' teachers with medical MSc/PhD qualifications, the central government has released a Government Order directing the National Medical Commission (NMC) to adhere to the previous MCI norms regarding the percentage of the 'non-medical' teachers. It may be recalled that as per the MCI's Teachers Eligibility and Qualifications guidelines, 'non-medical' teachers possessing medical M.Sc/Ph.D qualifications could be appointed to the extent of 30% (50% in Biochemistry) of the faculty positions in the five non-clinical departments of medical colleges. When NMC replaced the MCI, the same guidelines were incorporated in the draft document “Amendment to Minimum Requirements for Annual MBBS admissions Regulations, 2020" released for public feedback on 13th October 2020.
However, when the final document emerged on 28th October 2020, the permissible percentage of 'non-medical' teachers were reduced from 50% to 15% in Biochemistry, from 30% to 15% in Anatomy and Physiology and completely abolished in Pharmacology and Microbiology. Availability of sufficient medical teachers and the introduction of the new competency based curriculum were the reasons attributed to this reduction. "This U-turn was a bolt from the blue for all of us" said Dr. Sridhar Rao, President of the National MSc Medical Teachers' Association (NMMTA), which launched a nation-wide agitation against this unprecedented move. "When the draft notification was published, the NMC was fully aware of the faculty shortages in medical colleges.
In fact, in January 2020, the Board of Governors in supersession of the MCI had categorically stated that owing to continued shortage of medically qualified teachers, appointment of 'non-medical' teachers should not be stopped. Despite the fact that there has been an increase in the MD seats in the non-clinical subjects, 40-50% of them remained vacant year. Therefore, such faculty shortages would naturally continue in the future. The new competency based curriculum was introduced in 2019 by the MCI. When the NMC released the draft guidelines retaining the MCI's percentages, it was already aware of the faculty shortages and the new curriculum, therefore, it is obvious to us that these were never the actual reasons behind the reduction in permissible percentages of 'non-medical' teachers but were mere afterthoughts put forth simply to justify its actions.
The lobbying by certain quarters for monopoly in teaching jobs by ousting the competition was the apparent reason", he added. Aggrieved by the decision, NMMTA had filed an appeal on 28th February 2021 with the NMC under the provisions of the NMC Act, which was dismissed. Consequently, the association filed a second appeal on 07th September 2021 with the central government requesting to restore the previous MCI norms as far as 'non-medical' teachers are concerned. "This appeal was vital for our survival. Although it was stated that the new guidelines would not affect the existing 'non-medical' teachers, the contrary was happening on the ground", said Dr. Rao. "A few existing faculty were wrongly terminated citing the new guidelines. Those from Pharmacology and Microbiology were the worst affected; their eligibility to work henceforth was withdrawn overnight as they were rendered ineligible to apply for teaching position anywhere in India. Neither could they shift jobs.
Those who were appointed on contract suffered the most; their contract could not be renewed as their eligibility was removed. This was a humanitarian crisis", he added. 2 "The NMC guidelines had far-fetched effects than what the NMC officials possibly anticipated. It not only snatched some of ours right to livelihood, but also took our away the right to work with dignity. The option to relocate to another college, city or state were arbitrarily removed and the faculties in Microbiology and Pharmacology were forced to stay put in the same medical college until retirement.
This is gross injustice. Not only did the new guidelines rendered several existing faculties jobless, scores of students who had passed out from their medical M.Sc courses found themselves ineligible to apply for tutor posts", said Dr. Arjun Maitra, General Secretary of NMMTA. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which examined the appeal filed by NMMTA released a government order stating, "The documents and submission made by the appellant have been considered by Central government and is of a considered view that the NMC may continue to adopt the old pattern of the permissible percentage of non-medical teachers for the time being subject to the outcome of the pending court case".
"We are thankful to the government for reinstating the previous MCI norms. Injustice that was done to us has been reversed. The faculties and the students who are undertaking Medical M.Sc courses are indebted to the government for taking the right decision, which is in the best interest of all concerned stakeholders" said Dr. Rao expressing gratefulness. "With the ministry having restored justice, we are expecting the same from the Delhi High Court", said Dr. Maitra. It may be recalled that NMMTA had filed a writ petition in the Delhi High court against the NMC guidelines. A few other similar petitions from related associations and individuals have been clubbed and are being heard jointly. Final arguments have begun.