SALIGAO
A delegation of para teachers along with union leader Adv Ajitsingh Rane and Swati Kerkar called on the State Project Director of Goa Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Anil Powar, to enquire about the status of the regularisation of the para teachers.
Powar explained to the delegation that as per the education rules in force, a professional qualification of B.Ed or D.Ed. is mandatory to become a teacher.
He said he has written to the Director of Education that the para teachers have worked with Goa Sarvashiksha Abhiyan for 3 years as teachers and that the government can explore the possibility of regularisation of their services.
Later speaking to media persons, Rane stated that the State government does not have a concrete recruitment policy to deny the regularisation of the services of para teachers.
“Based on past precedents with the education department, teachers in similar circumstances have been accommodated by the government by regularising their services. The regularisation of services of english teachers grade 1, computer teachers and contract teachers in the past are precedents which justices the case of regularisation of para teachers,” said Rane.
“Further, Clause 2 of the Office Memorandum of Goa government clearly specifies that the government shall not continue para-teachers for more than three years on contract basis and therefore, the government should initiate action to regularise their services,” he added.
A para teacher, Babita Naik stated that as per the Section 23 of Right to Education Act, para teachers should be imparted training through the State Board, open school, non-governmental organisations and other government institutions within five years from the date of appointment.
“Secondly, wherever there is perennial nature of work, there cannot be a contract system, and thirdly as per the labour act in force, if an employee works for 240 days continuously, inclusive of authorised leave, his or her services should be regularised,” said Naik.
