On appointment of teachers

You might have come across  advertisements in various newspapers regarding appointment of teachers  on contractual basis. This  will serve to paralyse the elementary education system in Odisha. In an unequal school environment( where some teachers will get more than twenty thousand rupees per month and some will receive only four thousand) we can not expect quality education to be imparted to children. We should oppose this decision. Teachers should be appointed from the locality to address the issue of the language used in the classrooms and teachers absenteeism. During the last Assembly session  of Odisha some MLA raised their voice against this decision. Under  the pretext of acting on a High Court judgement on the appointment of teachers , the Government of Odisha avoided a discussion on the  matter. Some members suggested that Government should  take steps to take  this matter up with the High Court. However, it seems that nothing has been done  in this regard. Any body from anywhere can now be appointed as a teacher in any district. This will lead to heavy teacher absentism  especially in tribal districts. There are chances that most of the teachers in tribal districts will be appointed from the costal districts. This will again causes regional imbalances and youths from the locality will be hostile and  frustrated. This will  lead to violence  in underdeveloped areas of Odisha. I request our lawyer friends to examine the judgement carefully and tell us how the government’ interpretation of it can be challenged .                          

Dr. Nilakantha Rath, a noted economist , in an article argued  that Gram Panchayat should be assigned the task of  appointing teachers. However, Government has decided that Zilla Parishads will appoint teachers on a contractual basis. But the selection of teachers will be done by  Government. Unless we address these issues we will not be able to bring about changes in the educational scenario of Odisha. I would like to request you to send your comments and suggestions on this urgent matter.