The Dispute Surrounding JNU's ₹ 500 Offer For A 90-Minute Lecture: Explained

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is facing criticism on social media due to an announcement stating that instructors will receive ₹500 for a 90-minute class. This announcement originates from the Centre of Arabic and African Studies within the School of Language, Literature, and Culture Studies at JNU. Many individuals are expressing dissatisfaction with this modest compensation, given the university's reputation, and are questioning why it cannot be raised. In light of the ongoing debate surrounding this proposal from the institution, here is an explanatory overview of the entire matter.

What does the notice say?

The notice released by the Centre of Arabic and African Studies on September 18 pertains to the recruitment of "remedial tutors" for university students. It specifies that candidates must have successfully cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) to be eligible for these positions. These tutors will receive ₹500 for a 90-minute lecture.

However, a noteworthy condition is mentioned: the payment is contingent upon the availability of funds, which could potentially result in delayed payments. Numerous users and faculty members have raised concerns that such a condition might discourage young individuals who are enthusiastic about pursuing teaching careers.

What is the official statement from the language school?

In a conversation with the New Indian Express, Mujeebur-Rahman, the chairperson of the Centre of Arabic and African Studies, mentioned that the rates are determined by the university.

"We have nothing to do with this. Our office had this proforma with them and they issued this notice on that basis," he said.

He further explained that the center released the notice with the intention of hiring three remedial tutors.

Recruitment Initiative

Meanwhile, the university took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that it is actively making appointments in a "mission mode." They shared a screenshot illustrating interviews conducted for various roles within the university, highlighting, "the most extensive recruitment drive since JNU's inception over the past 19 months. To date, 331 faculty positions have been advertised, with approximately 186 Selection Committees convened, encompassing 128 reserved positions."

Furthermore, they mentioned that the hiring process for 388 non-teaching positions will be carried out through NTA exams, marking another record achievement in this regard.