Clock-hour basis

Question

An audit during assessment revealed a deeper problem. "Our analysis shows that it is difficult to get teachers for compulsory papers such as accountancy. Of the 234 colleges, teachers from merely 83 came for paper-I assessment; those from 67 colleges reported for paper-II, and for paper-III, faculty from 73 colleges turned up. It shows that colleges don't have enough teachers and are working on clock-hour basis," said Shinde.

Please explain to me what "clock-hour basis" mean here.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Here's an excerpt from a University of Texas rule book:

Clock-hour Basis. Instructional workload equivalents for faculty members holding technical rank may be determined on a clock-hour basis where full-time employment is equivalent to not less than 30 hours of instructionally related activities each week for contact hour courses taught on a quarterly basis.

Avangi · Answer

You usually cite the full article, whether it's needed or not.

In this case, it's really needed, IMHO.

There are expressions here which make no sense to me without further context.

Edit. Woops! MrM has a lock on it.

User_gary · Answer

Thanks Avangi and MrM.
But I'm so **** that I cannot understand the tough Texas definition too.

Here is the source and full context :

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Two-months-on-evaluation-of-BCom-papers-still-not-complete/articleshow/6096739.cms

Mister Micawber · Answer

They get payed for working a certain number of hours per course, so they are unwilling to do extra things like going to assessments.

Avangi · Answer

User_garyBut I'm so **** that I cannot understand the tough Texas definition too.

Thanks for the context, gary. I'll take a look at it, as I'm totally unfamiliar with the ins and outs of academic labor and its "rewards."

Meantime, I have to comment on your expression of frustration:

"I'm confused too."

A US native might say, "I'll be damned if I can understand that tough Texas definition!"

The grammar defies analysis.

Avangi · Answer

Hi, gary,
are working on clock-hour basis
I don't think I can separate this expression from the whole ball of wax, although I concur with MrM's assessment.
Let me try step-by-step:

It's been two months since the final year commerce exams concluded on April 27

results must be declared within 30-45 days from the concluding date of examination.
(Last year, results were out after 65 days.)

over 22,000 papers are yet to be assessed
('The terms "assessment" and "evaluation" describe the process of grading the papers.)

The reason for the delay is that teachers are not reporting for assessment

Though 1,450 teachers were appointed for TYBCom assessment,
the university said that only 850 reported for CAP work.

It shows that colleges don't have enough teachers and are working on clock-hour basis

It almost seems as if correcting exam papers is voluntary work. (paid/unpaid??)
The specifics of Texas and Mumbai may differ as to the 30-hour requirement.
In the US, we distinguish between "salary" and "wages." Professional people are usually paid a salary, while laborers and tradesmen are usually paid wages.
Now that so many "professions" have become unionized, the language of union "contracts" is everywhere.
When I was teaching in public schools in the 50's and 60's I received a fixed yearly salary, regardless of how many hours I put in, including "extracurricular activities."

not less than 30 hours of instructionally related activities each week
This Texas quote sets the minimum amount of time required. It says nothing about being paid for "overtime."
The implication may be that teachers are not compelled to work beyond a fixed number of hours, nor paid for doing so.

Your article describes the setting up of convenient local assessment locations. But there's no discussion of whether this work is to be done during periods when the teachers would normally be "on vacation."

User_gary · Answer

Thanks a lot again Avangi and MrM for your wonderful and useful posts.

Clock-hour basis

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