MADURAI: The All India Federation of University & College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO) has today urged the Central government to look at education spending as an investment and as an instrument of social change with equity and equality.
“There is now a sinister effort to change the fundamental character of Indian education system. Education is being seen as a market commodity and as a puppet in the hands of a select few persons. Education is being designed to suit the capitalist forces and teachers across India are struggling from KG classes (kindergarten) to PG level,” Dr.Arun Kumar, AIFUCTO general secretary, has said in his introductory remarks at the inauguration of 34th statutory conference 2026 of AIFUCTO which began in Madurai today-February 21st 2026.
Urging the policymakers and budget allocators to see education as an investment for country’s growth, he said that education must not be seen from profit and loss perspective, and all efforts must be made to stop the attempts bing made to corporatise and communalize the field of education.
“Lakhs of teachers at college and university level in our country are waging a struggle for payscale and good service conditions besides old pension scheme. In Tamil Nadu, thousands of college teachers in aided colleges are deprived of Career Advancement Scheme despite government order. There is no consultation with stakeholders while drafting education policies. So, we need to fight with unity and solidarity to stop education from going into corporate control and private hands totally,”Dr.Arun Kumar has said.
AIFUCTO president Dr.M.Nagarjan had expressed concern that education is not only being seen as a commodity via privatization but also getting communalized.
“The theme of our conference in Madurai is towards democratic, scientific, inclusive, public funded higher education in India. It is our duty to safeguard democratic and secular education system in our country,” Dr.M.Nagarajan has said while addressing the large number of delegates at American College here today morning.
Mr.T.Nagarajan, Deputy Mayor of Madurai Corporation and Dr.A.T.Senthamaraikannan, MUTA general secretary, were among those who spoke at the inauguration of three-day AIFUCTO conference in Madurai today, and it is attended by members from various States. The conference will conclude on February 23rd 2026 after various sessions and new office-bearers assume charge.
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