Demand to Fill Vacant Posts, Repair Dilapidated School Buildings, and Resolve Promotion and Transfer Issues Intensifies

Banswara: Teachers and staff in Rajasthan’s Education Department have expressed strong dissatisfaction over frequent “innovative” orders issued by the department, calling them impractical and burdensome. Representatives of several teachers’ organizations voiced their concerns before Madan Dilawar, the Education Minister of Rajasthan, and senior education officials during a meeting in Jaipur. They submitted a file containing photographs of dilapidated school buildings along with media reports, demanding urgent action.

Questions Raised Over Responsibility for School Building Safety

Representatives of Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh Siyaram argued that teachers have no role in building maintenance or new construction. They questioned why teachers and staff are suspended when deteriorating or unsafe school buildings collapse.

“Punishing the Poor for the King’s Mistakes”

Teacher organizations criticized the government, saying it resembles a system where “the king’s punishment is imposed on the poor.” They alleged that while many government school buildings, classrooms, boundary walls, and mid-day meal rooms are in extremely poor condition, the government remains busy with paperwork, surveys, and correspondence rather than implementing real solutions on the ground.

Concerns Over Budget Shortage

Teachers also pointed out that the academic session is nearing completion, yet around 90% of the allocated budget has still not been released. Funds under the Single Nodal Account (SNA) system have not reached schools, causing serious financial difficulties. Vendors have reportedly refused to provide materials on credit to schools until previous dues are cleared.

Massive Shortage of Teaching Staff

According to the organizations, around 150,000 teaching posts across various categories remain vacant in Rajasthan. Promotions have also been pending for several years:

• Third pay scale promotions pending for six years, and in the commerce stream for nearly two decades.

• Second pay scale promotions pending for four years.

• Lecturer promotions pending for three years.

• Appointments for Vice Principals and Principals pending for over a year.

Despite this shortage, the government expects 100% examination results and quality performance from schools operating with barely 50% staff strength.

Allegations Regarding Transfer Policies

Teacher representatives also criticized the state’s transfer policy, alleging that transfers have turned into an “industry.” They claimed that while some teachers seeking transfers are ignored, others who do not want transfers are moved to distant districts and later have them canceled through political influence.

Financial Burden on Schools During Examinations

Organizations also raised concerns that question papers for board examinations—ranging from Class 5 to Class 12—are kept in police stations for security. However, schools are not provided funds for transporting and escorting these papers or for depositing answer sheets at collection centers, forcing teachers and staff to bear these costs themselves.

83-Point Charter of Demands Submitted

Siyaram Sharma, State Administrative President of Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh Siyaram, submitted an 83-point memorandum to the state government. The demands include:

• Construction of toilets and classrooms for students and staff.

• Repair and renovation of dilapidated school buildings, especially in TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) areas.

• Filling of 1.5 lakh vacant posts across teaching categories.

• Implementation of pending promotions.

• Release of travel and medical allowances pending for five years.

• Removal of encroachments from school playgrounds and allocation of sports budgets.

Teacher organizations urged the government to address these issues urgently to ensure better infrastructure, fair working conditions for teachers, and improved education for students across Rajasthan.