By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

Of the sanctioned 5,995 positions in 1,138 Adi Dravidar Welfare Department schools across the State, more than 2,000 positions were vacant, said a Right To Information Act reply.

For the details sought by a Madurai-based activist S. Karthik regarding the number of teachers in the ADW schools in the State, the reply from the department revealed that close to half of the positions in the schools remained vacant.

While the sanctioned posts like elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and higher secondary schools head persons, postgraduate, graduate, secondary grade teachers, physical instructors and computer teachers in the 1,138 schools administered by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department stood at 5,995, only 3,920 positions had been filled, he added.

To manage the gap in the faculties, about 829 temporary teachers with pay grades ranging from ₹12,000 to ₹18,000 based on the qualification had been appointed to the ADW schools, he added.

“At a time when temporary postings are known to be affecting the quality of any services, appointing the teachers on a temporary basis would surely affect the quality of education in the ADW schools,” Mr. Karthik said.

Though the State government stated that only 875 positions were vacant, according to the Right To Education Act norms, the number could be applied to the situation only when all the operations went as per rules, he added.

This has already affected the ADW schools, which has been reflected in the poor enrolment in the last few years.

“Data says that in the last three years about 2.5 lakh students have moved out of the ADW schools,” he alleged.

“The data which reflects the reality should be taken seriously by the government which boasts of ensuring social justice and equality. At least the vacant positions should be filled through Teachers Recruitment Board appointment,” he said.