Challenges and Impediments faced by Women College Teachers in Madurai District

Abstract

While the teachers in higher education are provided with academic rights and freedom, they are expected to maintain certain standards of responsible professional conduct and growth; otherwise, academic mission established for the progress of society will be at stake. They have to necessarily understand their role of enhancing learning among the students, extending their knowledge of the subject constantly, conducting research in their field to promote utilitarian purpose of education and finally getting awarded for all their service and research in due means. Also, the role of college teachers has changed from mere teaching to curriculum designing, research, publication, e-content writing, conducting online classes, collaborative research, exchange programme, extension activity, add-on/certificate course designing, arranging internship, etc. They have to necessarily come out of their comfort zone; many college teachers find it really challenging to accomplish this change in role expectations while some cross those impediments and emerge achievers. The plight of women college teachers is more challenging and particular due to their gender and the discrimination based on that. The present research proposes to study the challenges and impediments faced by women college teachers in Madurai district from women’s perspective. About 40 women teachers from a Government, a Government-Aided and a Self-financing Arts and Science Colleges are selected for the study and the findings through administering of questionnaire are analysed in this paper.