VIJAYAWADA : Computer instructors at the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) across the State have sought the government to treat them as teachers considering that their responsibilities have evolved over the years.
Initially appointed as part-timers in 2014 on contract basis, workload of computer instructors in KGBV has increased from taking six classes a week to 18 classes a week for part-timers and 30 classes a week for permanent instructors. However, their remuneration, which is `14,000 a month, has remained the same from 2017 to 2024.
As per the job chart issued in 2017, the instructors are required to handle duties as directed by the higher-ups. Besides imparting computer skills to students, their other responsibilities include taking digital attendance, entering marks, updating information, dealing with technical issues related to the tablets distributed to government school students, managing various online platforms and digital classes and assisting the school management in administrative duties.
A computer instructor from Kurnool said, “No matter how many times we plead with the authorities, the pressure on us is not reduced. Every day, even during holidays, we have to work without rest or family time.” The instructors complained that the situation has aggravated with the State government introducing digital classrooms and distributing tablets to children. Lack of physical training programmes for the instructors, leaving them on their own to train themselves and often relying on YouTube videos, has added to their woes.
Another instructor from Guntur highlighted the contrast with model schools, where computer instructors, operators and vocational trainers share the workload. She urged authorities of the Education Department to provide additional support, appoint computer operators to alleviate the burden so that instructors can focus more on classroom teaching. She also requested the officials to treat them as teachers.
Commissioner of School Education S Suresh Kumar stated that the issue has not been to his notice, and that no computer instructor has approached him yet regarding their concerns. He further mentioned that as contract employees, they are obligated to follow the instructions of the government as mentioned in the job chart.