Patna, Feb. 15: Patna University (PU) today conducted the first screening committee meeting of teachers for the social science subjects to kick start the promotion process.

Twenty-six teachers of history, geography, political science, personal management and industrial relations, economics, and others appeared before the panel chaired by the university vice-chancellor (VC), Shambhu Nath Singh.

The VC said: “After years of uncertainty, the teachers’ promotions have been considered by the varsity. It has started the process. Today, the committee took up the cases of teachers of social science subjects. Tomorrow, the panel will gather to hear the teachers of humanities.”

Once the promotion cases of the teachers are cleared, it would come as a relief for those waiting for appraisal since 2007. If promoted, assistant professors would be elevated to the rank of senior assistant professors.

Dean, social science, Bharti S. Kumar said: “The screening process has opened the door for the 2003-batch teachers’ promotion. The teachers were waiting since 2007. If one goes by the rulebook, their promotions should have been completed by that year.”

Rupam Kumari, an assistant professor with Patna Women’s College, said: “We have been waiting for our promotions since 2005. Now, that the promotion process has been initiated, the elevated teachers’ pay scale would rise by at least Rs 5,000.”

She added: “The promotion of teachers is a routine affair but because of the lackadaisical approach of the varsity administration, the promotions were delayed.”

The teachers, who were waiting for promotions, were appointed during the Rabri Devi regime. In nine universities of Bihar, around 1,050 teachers were appointed to the rank of lecturers (now known as assistant professors). In PU, 93 teachers were appointed as lecturers in the constituent colleges and post-graduate departments of the varsity.