Margao: With the new academic year set to begin later this week, schools are facing a problem of lack of teachers
and fear it will have a serious impact on the education of the students. They have appealed for a resolution of the issue as soon as possible.
Manager of the Rosary High School, Navelim,
Fr Gabriel Coutinho said the main challenge facing the new academic year is that of the teachers. “We are getting close to the reopening of the school and we are preparing the benches and infrastructure in the school. We are working to welcome the students back and the government is putting in a lot of effort in the NEP implementation,” he said.
He added, “In the past few years, we have been getting teachers on contractual basis. Even after teachers are retiring, there are no replacements with permanent teachers. This is something very sad and sometimes there is shortage of four to eight teachers. The school cannot move forward in such a situation.”
The manager of a Margao-based school pointed out that while the government has begun the process of hiring more teachers, the procedure should have started sooner. “From the information we have received the government has started the process of hiring more teachers, but for aided schools it will begin this month. Then there is the issue of teachers on contractual basis. There are teachers who have worked for more than six to eight years but are still on contract. Such teachers should be given permanent
posts, else it will lead to negligence in the education sector,” he said.
He also said that with the introduction of new syllabus for primary classes, teachers have been called for training next week, just as the schools reopen. “Parents have come to us and asked us why this training could not have been arranged before the reopening of the schools. There are some cases where the headmaster has charge of more than one school. All these issues need to be addressed,” said the school manager.
Making an appeal, Fr Coutinho said, “I urge the government and the education minister to do something about this issue. Schools have sent their requirements but till date nothing has happened and it is causing a lot of worry for the heads of schools. I appeal to the government not to cause trouble for the students. I also appeal to the PTAs to meet their respective MLAs to raise this issue with them.”
Schools to reopen on June 6 as scheduled, says Zingde
Special Correspondent
Panaji: Director of education, Shailesh Zingde on Tuesday said that schools around the state will reopen on June 6 as per the schedule.
“There will be no delay due to the heat wave or late monsoon in the re-opening of the schools,” he added.
Zingde was also informed that the department has started transferring funds for purchase of raincoats and uniforms into the accounts of the students. He further said that the major school renovation works have been completed ahead of the new academic year.
When asked about the scenario as regards delay in monsoon, the director of education said that in such a case, the education department has the option of allowing schools to close early and an appropriate decision would be taken if required.
Speaking on teacher availability, Zingde said that there is no shortage of teachers in government schools, although many of the teachers are currently appointed on contractual or lecture basis.
He informed that the process of making regular appointments of teachers has already been initiated.
