In view of the deepening anger among government teachers against direct recruitment to the vacant posts of principals, the government may step back. There is a preparation to postpone the schedule of the examination to be held through the State Public Service Commission for direct recruitment. In a meeting of officials of Personnel, Finance, Justice and Education departments chaired by Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, a consensus was reached on finding a solution by adopting a positive attitude towards the demands of teachers. The obstacles coming in the promotion of teachers will also be removed. Teachers are agitating on the call of the Government Teachers Association Uttarakhand against direct recruitment to the vacant posts of Principal. The association also boycotted the Teachers’ Day programs last Thursday. The post of Principal in Government Inter College has been a 100 percent promotion. Due to discrepancy in the departmental structure and the number of government high schools being very less in comparison to government inter colleges, difficulties were arising in filling the posts of principals. To solve this problem, the government amended the relevant rules to fill 50 percent of the Principal posts through promotion and 50 percent through direct recruitment. A requisition was sent to the State Public Service Commission for direct recruitment to 692 vacant posts of Principal. The Commission has scheduled the examination program for direct recruitment this month. Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat had also brainstormed with senior officials of the government on the previous day when teachers became vocal against direct recruitment. In this sequence, on the second day, Friday, Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat also held a meeting with senior officials of the government.
In the meeting, a consensus was reached on changing the rules for direct recruitment to the post of Principal. The scope of rules will be increased so that teachers get more opportunities for these posts. The age limit for direct recruitment will also be increased from 50 years to 55 years. A positive attitude has been taken on increasing the service period from 10 years to 15 years to give opportunities in recruitment to teachers of LT cadre. Lecturers who do not have the qualification of B.Ed degree will also be able to participate in direct recruitment. Lecturers recruited directly through the commission will also be able to appear in the recruitment examination. Amendments will be made to bring all these points in the current rules. Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said that the department will prepare a proposal for amendment in the Principal Rules and make it available to the government. In view of the amendment in the rules, consideration can be given to extending the examination program. Also, every possible effort will be made to promote teachers. In this regard, the government will take steps to present its side in the High Court and resolve the discrepancies at the government level. Additional Chief Secretary of Personnel and Finance Anand Bardhan, Finance Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, Education Secretary Ravinath Raman, Additional Secretary Ranjana Rajguru, Ganga Prasad and senior officials of the Justice Department were present in the meeting.
