Principals get powers to appoint retired teachers

New Delhi: The Delhi government has given powers to the principals of its schools to appoint retired teachers in case of “shortage” of teaching staff in their institutions. This was announced by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, during the annual function of a Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Mayur Vihar Phase I.

“If there is shortage of a teacher in any school, then the principal need not ask the deputy director or send any file to him. Now, the principals will be able to appoint retired teachers of government schools for such vacancies,” Mr Sisodia said. Retired TGT and PGT teachers of government schools will have to register themselves on the education department’s website if they want to apply for such posts. They will be able to select a school of their choice, a senior government official said. The applicants will be interviewed at the school concerned by a selection committee comprising principal, a teacher and two to three members of the school management committee, he said.

The retired teachers who are not selected in any school, will be included in a panel to be prepared by the education department for future appointments as the need may arise, the official said.

He said it is often difficult to permit teachers to go on leave due to shortage of teaching staff. Appointment of retired teachers as per need will solve this problem.

Previously, the government had allowed school principals to appoint estate managers for maintenance of cleanliness and sanitation. Earlier, the principals or teachers were engaged in ensuring cleanliness at the schools but now the estate managers discharge this duty, the official said.