Nepal’s premier academic hub, Tribhuvan University (TU), has frequently come under fire

owing to its injudicious decisions. This time it is due to its decision to appoint 900 part-time teachers on a contract basis without requiring them to undergo any competitive selection procedure. The Tribhuvan University Struggle Committee (TUSC) has been protesting this move demanding that the Tribhuvan University administration withdraw the decision

and hire teachers through competition, scrapping the system of contract. However, the third round of talks between TUSC and TU representatives was inconclusive as both sides refused to budge from their stands.

It is common practice in many of Nepal’s government, semi-government offices and public corporations to appoint people on a contract basis. Though hired for a fixed term, they are usually given permanent status, whether or not they are qualified and competent to fulfil assigned responsibilities. This is one of the reasons why most of these offices are mismanaged, overstaffed, and run by substandard workforce. If competitive examinations are required for hiring, problems of mismanagement that have beset most of the government organisations would automatically be solved. The TU agitators, however justified their demands may be, should not resort to acts of vandalism. They should seek a solution through peaceful means.