The recent proposal by Nagpur’s Zilla Parishad (ZP) to appoint teachers on a contractual basis for a meagre honorarium of Rs 5,000 per month has garnered significant attention. Now, eyebrows are raised as the State’s School Education and Sports Department plans to appoint retired teachers at a monthly consolidated honorarium of Rs 20,000.
To address the issue of teacher vacancies in ZP schools, the ZP had initially decided to hire teachers on a contractual basis with the possibility of increasing their honorarium through funds from the District Planning Committee and State Government. However, recognizing the widespread problem of teacher vacancies in ZP schools across the state, the School Education and Sports Department issued an order to all Divisional Commissioners and ZP Chief Executive Officers.
The order allows the appointment of retired teachers with a maximum age limit of 70 years at a consolidated honorarium of Rs 20,000 per month. Interested retired teachers are required to sign a bond agreeing to the specified terms and conditions. The Education Officer (Primary) and the concerned ZP CEO have been tasked with inviting applications and issuing appointment letters.
Despite the attempt to address the teacher shortage, the move has faced criticism. Chandrapal Choukey, State President of Rashtriya Panchayati Raj Gram Pradhan Sarpanch Sanghatan, expressed concerns about the qualifications and abilities of retired teachers, such as computer skills, equipment usage, physical strength, and dedication to students’ welfare. Choukey also questioned the preference given to retired teachers in stead of educated unemployed youth, suggesting that appointments should be made through the Gram Shikshan Samiti to prioritize local candidates.
Choukey led a delegation that submitted a memorandum to Sandip Joshi, Honorary Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, expressing their discontent with the situation. The memorandum highlighted the plight of students in rural areas and their uncertain educational future due to the persistent teacher shortage.