Human Resource Minister Nara Lokesh has directed the education officials to prevent political interference in transfers of teachers and make transfers transparent in the state. He held a long review at the Secretariat with the top officials of school education.
In the case of transfer of teachers, the Commissioner was directed to formulate procedures without succumbing to political pressures like in the past. He said that the suggestions of teachers unions should be taken into consideration in this regard.
Moreover, he said that steps should be taken to reduce the burden of non-teaching tasks and unnecessary apps on teachers and let them focus on full-fledged teaching. He said that parents’ committees should be considered for the provision of infrastructure in schools. Full details of closed schools should be submitted in the upcoming review, he said.
Lokesh ordered to find out the reasons behind the large number of students transferring from government schools to private schools in the last five years and submit a comprehensive report. Apart from this, children’s learning outcomes and what kind of measures should be taken to improve the educational standards were thoroughly discussed.
The officials were asked to study and submit a report on where the best policies are being implemented in the country to raise the standard of education. On this occasion, the Minister referred to the educational systems of many developed countries including Germany and Austria.
He deplored that due to massive closure of schools in the name of rationalization of schools, students had to resort to private schools. A large number of schools were closed due to merger of aided schools and restrictions on their management.
On the other hand, teachers have also been given the responsibility of creating infrastructure in the name of schools. He felt that this has hampered education. There are allegations that the responsibility of cleaning the toilets has also been put on the teachers.
In the previous government, cases were filed against teachers who agitated with demands like salary arrears, payment of PRC, DA and cancellation of CPS. Some of the reforms in the education sector faced strong opposition from the teachers. Lokesh directed to focus on all such issues.