PANAJI
In a development that has raised concerns over the fairness of promotions in the Directorate of Education, the government is expected to release a promotion list that reportedly includes several ineligible candidates while sidelining those from over 100 eligible assistant teachers.
Reliable sources revealed that many excluded assistant teachers have been waiting for promotions since 2020, but influential connections have allegedly been included in the list, bypassing seniority norms.
The earlier system of promotions was strictly based on the seniority list. However, a 50:50 system was introduced later wherein half promotions were conducted through the Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) and the remaining on seniority.
“Teachers had accepted this arrangement but recent developments are clearly pointing fingers that the upcoming promotions list is manipulated. Eligible senior assistant teachers are excluded even though they have been in service since the 1990s,” the source said adding that candidates recruited after 2010 are allegedly accommodated.
A total of 19 ADEI posts and nearly 40 Grade-I posts are vacant in the Education department. Sources further said that promotion to these positions is a crucial step towards becoming a headmaster or headmistress. However, extensions granted to several headmasters have resulted in a bottleneck, further preventing eligible ADEIs and Grade-I officers from being promoted.
“We don’t want monetary benefit but designation is precious to us for the number of years put in this service and the hard work,” the source added.
Concerns are also raised over the recruitment process with teachers being appointed on a lecture basis without clear responsibilities.
“The absence of permanent posts has increased the workload on existing staff, and there is a lot of discontent. There are assistant teachers who are doing the job of the ADEIs but are not recognised. Whereas some ADEIs eligible for promotions are stagnant as some retired headmasters are given extensions,” the source added.
