Contractual posts in SCERT, DIET to be filled on regular basis on priority by June
PANAJI
The Union Ministry of Education has taken a serious note of 848 teaching positions being vacant across primary, secondary and senior secondary level in Goa and accordingly has directed the State government to initiate immediate steps to fill all these posts by this year December 31.
The Ministry’s Project Approval Board (PAB) of Samagra Shiksha, has also asked the State to fill up contractual posts in the State Council for Education, Research and Training (SCERT) and District Institute of Education Training (DIET) on a regular basis on priority by June 2025. There are 33 posts out of 37 that are currently filled on contractual basis.
During its meeting held on May 2, the PAB noted that at the State-sanctioned level, 306 positions of the teachers at the elementary level, 311 at the secondary level, and 231 at the senior secondary level remain vacant.
“The State is urged to take necessary steps to fill all vacant positions across levels by December 31, 2025,” the PAB stated.
The PAB noted that a significant proportion of positions in SCERTs and DIETs are currently filled on deputation or contractual basis-83.3 per cent in SCERTS (10 out of 12 posts) and 92 per cent in DIETs (23 out of 25 posts).
“Considering the pivotal role of these institutions in teacher empowerment and educational reforms, it was advised that all such positions should be filled on a regular basis, on priority, by June 30, 2025, to ensure greater institutional accountability and a stronger sense of professional responsibility,” the PAB stated.
Noting that there are 233 single-teacher schools operating across the State, PAB said that at the elementary level, 36.2 per cent of schools have an adverse Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR), which may impact the quality of teaching and learning outcomes.
During the meeting, the State was urged to ensure need-based opportunities for continuous professional development of teachers, enabling them to complete at least 50 hours annually, as envisioned in the NEP 2020.
The PAB observed that 30 per cent of government primary schools in the State have enrolment of less than 15 students, while over 60 per cent have got enrolment of less than 30 students.
“Out of the total 655 government primary schools in Goa, one school has zero enrolment, 439 schools have an enrolment of less than 30 students, and 213 schools have an enrolment of less than 15 students,” the PAB said.
“State still needs to make an assessment of the single teacher and low enrolment in schools and take corrective action to ensure an adequate number of teachers in all schools, particularly at the elementary level,” the PAB advised.
