Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 71 Higher Secondary English junior teachers in Kerala are all set to lose their jobs by March 31 following staff fixation. However, the state’s Education Department has initiated procedures to protect these employees.
Even though the final decision on the matter rests with the state Cabinet, the issue is unlikely to be taken up by it. Moreover, even if the Cabinet approves the move to retain these 71 junior teachers in government service, delays could occur as various clearances are required from Finance and other departments.
Alternative measures
Considering this situation, the Education Department is exploring other options to prevent the sacking of these teachers.
According to official data, 32 senior English teachers will be retiring from service during March, April and May this year. Consequently, an equal number of junior teachers in service would be promoted to these posts. This procedure would take place after a meeting of the Promotion Board.
When the junior teachers are promoted, 32 vacancies would be created at that level. The Education Department is planning to reappoint 32 among the 71 junior teachers who face job loss by March 31 in these vacancies. The remaining junior teachers would be protected by appointing them on deputation.
The 71 teachers facing the threat of sacking belong to schools where there are less than seven English periods. The government recently issued an order to appoint guest teachers in their place. However, the Education Department has now suggested reconstitution of the periods to save the jobs of junior teachers.
What led to the job loss?
The 71 junior teachers face termination as the term of the 110 supernumerary posts created by the government for the current academic year ends on March 31. A government order in this regard had said that the junior teachers who lose jobs could be reappointed as and when vacancies emerge.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court issued an order to appoint 47 teachers belonging to an earlier rank-list of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the 110 supernumerary posts by February this year. However, only 10 among these 47 PSC rank-holders joined the service considering the uncertainties involved. At the same time, some junior teachers in service applied for long leave.
This left 71 junior teachers in service and they are facing imminent termination.