Letters to the Editor

Retirement age

This is in reference to the news report published in this daily on October 28. As concerned citizen from this State, we feel that the proposal to extend the retirement age of college teachers from 60 to 65 years would adversely affect the interests of academically highly qualified youths preparing themselves for a teaching career in colleges.

The unemployment situation in the State, already being very bleak, would only worsen if the proposal gets implemented. The UGC has suggested enhancing the retirement age by supposing dearth of qualified persons for faculty members. But does our State with so many universities and colleges and extensive post graduate and research facilities, really lack such qualified human resources? The answer would be a big 'no'.

College teachers in Assam have maged to wrest many perks during their service, but their clamor for more and more do not seem just and ethical. They may not be aware that the retirement age in other States is 58 years. They should be thankful to the State government, and also equally learn to be happy and satisfied with so many perks and a hefty salary.

The theory that 60 plus teachers would prove better teachers also cannot be accepted to hold true, as one can notice the deterioration in their teaching abilities with advancing age. On the other hand, new recruits being abreast of the latest curriculum, trends and developments in the respective subject of their study would do more justice to the student community, provided they are recruited as faculty members. Therefore, it would be in the greatest interest of society in general and the student community in particular if the proposition of extending retirement age of college teachers is shelved once for all.

yan Jyoti Saharia,

Juripar, Six Mile.