Temporary staff to tackle teacher-shortage

BANGALORE:  With great fanfare, the model (Adarsh) schools and Higher Primary Schools were launched in the state a few years ago, under the aegis of Rashtriya Madhyamika Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). But in a dismal state of affairs, the schools are working with literally no teachers. To circumvent the slow recruitment process in the state, a private agency has been asked to hire teachers for a period of eight months to tide over the crisis.Over 2,000 teachers are required to teach in over 400 schools spread across the state. The English and Kannada medium schools opened on the lines of Sarva Shiksha Abhigyan, with the state and the Centre partially sponsoring the project. Parents have admitted their children to classes six and seven in 74 Adarsh Vidyalayas, while students have been admitted to classes nine and ten in 319 upgraded higher primary schools.For various reasons the recruitment of teachers did not take place and students have been attending classes with no teachers or one teacher handling more than one class, said an officer working in the education department. "Currently, we have teachers from the available pool of teachers within each block on deputation," says Senior Programme Officer, RMSA Subramanya B S.A private agency has been called in to recruit teachers on a contract basis for eight and a half months. This is a first for the department. "We have put the entire vacancy listschool and district wiseon the website. The applicants have to submit their application online. Based on their marks, the computer generates a percentage and also points based on their marks. Based on the points, a gradation list will be released online," he said.Foreseeing litigation to make their job permanent by the temporary employees, he added that the contracts have been carefully drafted and it has been clearly mentioned that the job offer is only temporary.The last date to submit applications is August 8 and all those selected will be called for document verification to be conducted on August 11. The teachers are expected to join schools by August 16. For more information log on to astrix.co.in.