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Representational image | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: In line with the UGC guidelines, the Kerala government has decided to waive off the age limit for appointment of college teachers in principle. The higher education department has been instructed to study the revised recruitment criteria and submit a report.
The new decision is based on the recommendations put forward by the Shyam B Menon commission, appointed to bring about reforms in the higher education sector.
Observations by the commission
The current general age limit for recruitment of teachers in government and aided colleges is 40 years. However, there are exemptions for backward communities and the age limits are 43 and 45 years for OBC and SC-ST candidates respectively.
According to the Shyam B Menon commission, many of the service rules hinder quality academics in higher education. The new decision will allow experts from various sectors to opt for teaching towards the end of their professional careers.
Meanwhile, the government is of the view that the new reform would help in increasing the quality of academics in colleges and universities.
Array of opportunities
Universities and colleges mainly consider candidates with PhD, post-doctoral degrees for the appointment of professors. Candidates will have to spend a lot of time to acquire such higher qualifications.
Hence, such candidates fail to even apply for the posts owing to the current age limits. Higher graduates are thus denied teaching jobs in colleges and universities.
In addition, the waiving of age limit would also prove beneficial for women candidates, who require more time to finish their higher studies due to several reasons, including pregnancy, delivery and child care.
The government is likely to take further action in this regard after the higher education department submits its report. Reportedly, an amendment to the Kerala Service Act is necessary to implement the reforms.
After the amendment, a separate notification will be issued for the recruitment process excluding the age limit.
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