Faced with a huge shortage of 16,000 primary school teachers, the state has decided to recruit 10,000 candidates on contract basis. It will also extend the services of teachers who retire in the middle of the academic year up to the end of the term on March 31.
However, appointment of 4,000 primary school teachers has been put on hold to accommodate reservation for the “special status’’ region of Hyderabad-Karnataka.
About 1,600 candidates from the region have to be included.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar told Express: “The recruitment process of 4,000 primary school teachers cleared by the previous government has been put on hold because we have to accommodate candidates from Hyderabad-Karnataka. The modalities are being on by a Cabinet-sub committee.’’
Ratnakar said that efforts were being made to fill the teacher shortage through contract recruitment for 10 months. “As a stop-gap arrangement, the department will appoint local persons on contract and post them wherever there is a shortage. Candidates will be told that their services will be terminated after 10 months and there is no question of regularising their services,’’ the minister said.
The contract scheme is expected to cost the state exchequer `85 crore.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar said besides this, every year around 4,000 teachers retire from the service and the Education Department had to depute teachers from other places to see that teaching was not affected. “Students face problems due to a change in the style of teaching. The department also faces difficulties in posting teachers on deputation,” he added.
The new rule will come into force from the current academic year and the Finance Department has given its consent to this. Teachers, whose services are extended, are eligible for all benefits till the last day of their retirement.
“The issue has been discussed with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who has given his consent,” he added.
‘SUPPLIERS Blamed for DELAY’
Admitting a delay in the distribution of uniforms to students of government schools in Mysore and Belgaum division, Kimmane Ratnakar blamed the suppliers.
The minister said he has written to the CM requesting him to take action against suppliers. “The previous government is responsible for this mess as they floated tenders and issued orders. One pair of uniform has been distributed,” he added.