Delhi University’s decision prohibiting faculty members from leaving the city during semester breaks without applying for leave has met with resistance from academics.

DU academic council member Maya John and former member Richa Raj have said the notification issued on September 5 had created unnecessary confusion and distress amongthe teachers.

According to the notification, semester breaks are meant only for students, not faculty members. Therefore, faculty members would have to take leave if they want to go out of station, it said.

In a letter to vice-chancellor Prof Yogesh Singh, John wrote that the teachers of the university were entitled to two months’ summer vacation and two 15-day (autumn and winter break) vacations.

“It is illogical that the teaching faculty are expected to be on duty for the semester break period when their main task, like teaching, is not possible with their students being extended a break. Given the continuous teaching pressure, many teachers look forward to the mid-semester breaks as a breather,”she wrote.

Raj issued a statement saying that the order was arbitrary and anti-academic. She said it was common knowledge that during the so-called “summer vacation”, teachers had to deal with admissions, examinations and committee work in the post-pandemic work-from-home culture.

“This overwork culture induced by letters such as above has impacted the work-life balance of many teachers, and has caused the deterioration of the health of many,” the statement said.