Now, only two study leaves for college teachers

College teachers will now be able to avail only two study leaves in their entire careers, the University Grants Commission (UGC) noted in its guidelines issued to all varsities recently. Also, study leaves will not be granted to college teachers, who are due to retire within five years of the date on which they are expected to return to duty, stated the UGC, revising the rules for sabbaticals. The maximum period of sabbaticals should not exceed five years, it said, urging vice-chancellors to be "generous” in granting study leave to teachers, especially junior faculties, "in the interest of faculty development”. The study leave should not be granted for more than three years in one spell, except in very exceptional cases, the UGC clarified. Assistant professor, assistant librarian, assistant director of physical education and sports can avail study leaves only after a minimum three years of continuous service, the UGC said. Entry-level college teachers, including assistant professors, are granted study leave to pursue a special line of study or research, which is directly related to their work. They can take up a special study on various aspects of university organisation and methods of education, giving full plan of work. Earlier, junior teachers were entitled for sabbaticals after two years of their service. Study leaves are granted to university faculties by the executive council or syndicate of their respective institutions on the recommendation of the head of the department concerned. Deccan Herald