The general secretary and president of the students’ union of the Film & Television Institute of India, Pune have written an open letter to newly appointed chairman of the institute, Anupam Kher.
The letter puts forward many concerns the students and staff have regarding the institution, and asks for Kher’s “take” on these issues.
Among the concerns they raise are:
Recommended
- The role and future prospects of the institute’s many contract staff. Given they are on contract and are temporary, they do not enjoy benefits and job security of the permanent staff.
- Changes in the syllabus of the institute, and the reduction in the schedules, and reduction in number of workshops and classes that are affecting the students.
- The status of the lightmen in the institute, who earlier were permanent staff, but are now contract labour. There have been instances when lightmen haven’t been paid for their work.
- Limitations to the resources, and changes to subjects and exercises that are putting undue pressure on the students to finish assignments on time, and therefore leading to a lot of stress.
- Exclusion of student body members from important decision making sessions – especially over syllabus changes, fee structures, and other pertinent issues.
Read the letter for the full text of student concerns.