Guest teachers in government schools yet to be appointed

The state government has yet to appoint guest teachers for over 50,000 vacant positions in primary and high schools.

Though the new academic year has just commenced, the State government has not appointed guest teachers to fill vacancies in government primary and high schools.

There are 47,272 government schools in the State with 1,79,784 teachers. Sources say around 50,000 teachers’ posts in primary schools and 10,000 in high schools are vacant, and guest teachers are recruited for these vacancies.

In 2023-24, the DSEL appointed about 33,000 guest teachers by May, who began work at the beginning of the academic year. However, guest teachers have not been appointed this year.

Thousands of schools have just one teacher, and many schools with 50 to 60 students have only two or three teachers. So, guest teachers are the mainstay in such schools.

Officials said the department has submitted a proposal for the appointment of 51,000 guest teachers, and it’s pending approval from the Finance Department.

DSEL sources said guest teachers haven’t been appointed because of the poll-related model code of conduct. “Once the election process is over, the department will recruit guest teachers,” said an official.

“Even after the poll process is over, it will take about one or two months to issue an order, invite applications, and fill the posts. Until then, permanent teachers will be deputed to schools where there is a shortage,” said the headmaster of a government high school in Bengaluru.