1000 Govt school teachers to be recruited: Education Minister
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 30 2022:
Education minister Th Basanta Kumar has announced that around 1000 teachers would be recruited in the shortest time possible to resolve the problem of shortage of teachers in government schools.
The minister was speaking as chief guest of the 40th Tashar Katamnao Long (TKL) Education cum foundation day organised at Khathing Memorial Ground in Tashar village, Ukhrul district on Friday.
In his address, minister Basanta said that the education sector in the state is facing shortage of teachers.
Although the number of teachers required in government schools of the state is 17,000, around 700 teachers retire every year.
Amidst this, there has been no recruitment of teachers over the last few years and as such, there are only 10,000 teachers in service at present, compared to requirement of around 7000 teachers.
He continued that the government is trying to mend shortages in government schools, whether it may be in infrastructure or manpower.
However, the budget allocated for the education department is too small and as such, discussions have been held to increase the budget allocation.
Informing that the centre had sanctioned Rs 168 crore for developing the education sector of the state, Basanta Kumar said that the funds are being utilised to develop the infrastructures in a steady manner.
Although it would be difficult to solve the shortage of teachers instantly, the government is planning to recruit 1000 teachers soon.
The uniforms of government schools will be changed to a new colour from next year onwards, he added.
The minister then observed that around 70 per cent of government school teachers are women.
On top of this, most of the teachers are older in age and as such, there is a bit of issue with regard to transfer/posting.
Combined with these factors, there is often pressure from different sections while transferring a teacher to the hills.
Thus, to prevent this, a new system is being implemented in the transfer-posting policy of teachers to enable the teachers to stay in their place of posting for a long time in consideration of age, sex and residence, he informed.
Meanwhile, the hill districts are facing huge issues due to lack of teachers.
However, it is equally important for the teachers to fulfil the necessary criteria and qualification.
Hence, he appealed to prospective teachers to undergo the required TET, DIET and B Ed courses.
Informing that a special coaching for government students appearing for the HSLC examinations would soon be conducted, Basanta Kumar said that Tushen Government High School, Tashar village can take advantage of the same.
He then said that 4 teachers would be dispatched to the school within one week, while assuring of including the agenda of upgrading the High School to Higher Secondary level in the next year 's list of government programmes.
Stating that the BJP government s working style is 'No Work, No Pay', the minister warned that strict action would be taken up against teachers who are absent for no valid reason.
He urged the villagers to inform the authority concerned if they come across any such absentee teachers, while appealing for concerted efforts in improvement of government schools.
As part of the function, prizes for the top three winners of a competitive examination (for Class I-X students), conducted by TKL, were distributed.
The function was also attended by Education (S) director (Hills) Alfred J Khaute, officials of Education Department, representatives of ATSUM, and students and elders
of the village.