Even though the Lower Division Typists (LD Typists) in the government service were renamed as Computer Assistants recently, the required qualifications for selection to the posts still remain archaic.
The ‘Express’ had reported that the PSC was recruiting LD Typists, with the outdated typewriting course certificates as a prerequisite for qualification. Most institutes offering typewriting training in the state have downed their shutters. The job of the selected candidates was data entry in computers, though they were designated as LD Typists. According to Kerala PSC officials, the post was renamed as computers have become ubiquitous and people with computer skills are needed to facilitate the growth of e-governance.
An order issued by the general administration department in February first week, said that the LD typist posts in the general administration, finance, law departments, legislative assembly, Accountant General’s Office and Local Fund Audit offices have been renamed as computer assistants. But interestingly, the required qualifications listed for the posts have not been changed. They include a pass in the SSLC, typewriting Malayalam (Lower) Kerala Government Technical Examination (KGTE) Certificate, typewriting English (Lower) KGTE Certificate and Computer Word Processing or its equivalent. Those who have passed the KGTE Typewriting before January 2002 should produce separate certificates in Computer Word Processing or its equivalent.
Kerala PSC secretary P C Binoy told Express that for the past 10 years, candidates have been learning courses which impart computer knowledge and skills like Word Processing. “Hence there is no need for a change in the qualification. You cannot see old typewriting courses anywhere,” he said.
Aspirants of such government jobs want the authorities to modify the qualifications set for the recruitment.