Prayagraj: Allahabad University (AU) has imposed a blanket ban on faculty members engaging in private coaching and tuition classes, both online and offline, in a move aimed at strengthening academic accountability and preventing conflicts of interest.According to a notification issued by the university registrar on July 31, teachers working at the university as well as its constituent colleges will no longer be permitted to be directly or indirectly associated with private coaching institutes or private tuition activities.The decision comes against the backdrop of long-standing allegations that some teachers were simultaneously teaching at the university and conducting coaching classes outside the campus. Although the university administration has not released any official list of such faculty members, there have been frequent claims that some teachers, particularly those preparing candidates for civil services examinations, were involved in private coaching activities.AU PRO Prof. Jaya Kapoor, while confirming that such a letter had been issued by the registrar, termed it an internal communication of the university system.However, sources said the directive is intended to protect students’ interests and ensure that teachers devote their full attention to classroom teaching, research and other academic responsibilities.The order makes it mandatory for heads of departments, directors of centres and coordinators to obtain written undertakings from faculty members stating that they are not engaged in such activities. These declarations will have to be submitted to the registrar’s office.Principals of constituent colleges have also been directed to collect similar undertakings from teachers working under them and forward the documents through the office of the dean of college development.University authorities believe the decision will help improve the quality of teaching and prevent situations in which students feel compelled to attend private classes conducted by the same teachers who teach them in the classroom.The prohibition will apply equally to physical classes as well as online platforms, leaving little scope for faculty members to continue such activities outside the university system.
