FUPUCTA
Lucknow: After nearly 20 years of being divided, Federation of Uttar Pradesh University and College Teachers’ Associations (FUPUCTA) has been revived and its two factions have unified. The federation said the move is aimed at strengthening collective action on issues concerning teachers and students. FUPUCTA patron and former general secretary and president Harendra Kumar Rai said the two factions had continued to work for teachers’ interests despite functioning separately after the federation split following the 2005-06 elections in Kanpur. “The two organisations have now united as teachers need to stand together to protect education, students and teachers. We will prepare a roadmap for a fresh phase of struggle in 2026-27 and take up issues affecting the teaching community and students,” said Rai. The federation was established around 1966 and has represented teachers of aided non-govt colleges in UP. Rai said that in the 1970s, teachers launched a movement over irregular salary payments, following which then chief minister, late Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, announced in 1974 that teachers would be paid from govt treasury, according to the prevailing pay scales. Rai said despite the division, members of both groups largely continued to respect each other and work for teachers’ interests. “The merger became necessary amid concerns over changes in the education system and issues affecting teachers’ autonomy, working conditions and students. He said the federation would now work towards creating a roadmap for its 2026-27 campaign,” said Rai.
It played a role in the movement for govt-funded salary payments to college teachers.