Ahmedabad: A body representing educational institutes has petitioned the chief minister to address what it calls a major oversight in the New Education Policy (NEP) regarding the workload assigned for subjects such as the Ability Enhancement Course (AEC), Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) and Value Added Course (VAC).

These courses, designed to deepen students’ understanding of Indian culture and strengthen skill development, account for 21% of the total credits required for graduation. However, the teaching hours for these subjects are currently not recognised in educators’ official academic workload, a gap that has led to widespread dissatisfaction among faculty.

The union’s petition has sought immediate govt intervention to ensure that teaching hours for these courses are formally counted in teachers’ workloads. Such an amendment, it said, was essential for maintaining uniformity across institutions and for acknowledging the contribution of educators who play a significant role in delivering these subjects.

The union has also demanded that the workload for these courses be incorporated into new recruitment processes and considered during the appointment of visiting faculty. In addition, it raised concerns about the status of ad-hoc teachers in govt colleges, urging their inclusion in grant-in-aid institutions and seeking clarity on service continuity for teachers transitioning to principal positions.

The demands, the union said, highlight the need for a comprehensive review of the policy to ensure fair recognition and compensation for teachers’ work and to promote a more equitable academic environment.

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