Directorate of Education invites application for teaching posts at PGT, GTT and PST level

A VACCANCY NOTIFICATION THAT COULD LEAVE LOCAL CANDIDATES HIGH AND DRY AMID RAINING JOBS
A large section of local job aspirants feel deprived since
certain clause prohibits them from taking part
in the recruitment process 

The Directorate of Education A&N Administration vide recruitment notice published in the official mouthpiece invited applications to fill up a total of 422 teaching posts at the PGT, GTT and PST level. The endeavour received appreciation from the MP of the islands and a few others but not without caveats. The notification however came as a rude shock to the local job aspirants. The reasons are compelling and more than one.




CTET compulsory, Posts open to all
According to a rough estimate there are not more than 80-85 CTET passed local candidates available in the fray. Therefore by prescribing pass in CTET compulsory, the notification rendered a large number of otherwise qualified local candidates ineligible to participate in the recruitment process. On the other hand the large haul of posts is going to prove a jackpot for candidates from Mainland India.

Four Year Integrated BSc BEd (Computer Science) left out 
4 Year Integrated BSc BEd (Computer Science) had
Mathematics as a main subject, yet they left out


Started in the year 2003, Four Year Integrated BSc BEd (Computer Science) till the 2009-13 batch, had two main subjects namely Main-I : Computer Science and Main-II : Mathematics with equal weightage allocated to both the subjects. As such Four Year Integrated BSc BEd (Computer Science) passed candidates had been getting recruited against the post of GTT (Maths) under Directorate of Education, A&N Administration.

However for reasons unknown, this time the precedent had been ignored leading the Four Year Integrated BSc BEd (Computer Science) pass candidates to unfair deprivation of opportunity which similarly qualified candidates hitherto enjoyed and got regular appointment as GTT (Maths).

GTT (Home Science); such subject is not there at Secondary level
The recruitment notice calls for one post of GTT (Home Science) whereas Home Science as a subject is not taught at the Secondary level. Therefore what kind of duties and responsibilities would be allocated to the recruit is something beyond comprehension.

Post of GTT (Fine Arts) kept out of CTET
Other than educational qualification for the post of GTT (Fine Arts), the notification stipulates “should have studied in the concerned medium atleast upto Secondary or Senior Secondary level” as a compulsory qualification, but does not prescribe pass in CTET. It is obvious the selected teacher would teach students under the age group prescribed under RTE which mandates pass in CTET as a precondition to appointment, yet CTET has been omitted for the particular post.

No personal interview for the posts
The notification mentions selection for the posts shall be made only on the basis of academic weightage and no personal interview shall be conducted. This virtually means the Directorate of Education is going to recruit candidates without having a look at them, leave alone testing candidates suitability vis-a-vis Cognitive (mental skills), Affective (feelings/emotional areas) and or Psychomotor (manual or physical skills) which are the three important domains known to have a direct bearing on the process of teaching and learning.

Notification is ill timed
The vacancy notification has come at a time when the forthcoming CTET is round the corner. A good number of candidate who earlier could not secure necessary qualifying marks due to obvious reasons, have been burning the midnight oil to clear CTET scheduled for February 2014. But since the application deadline closes well before results of CTET-2014, a large section of local BEd qualified candidates are in a state of shock since they stand deprived of the chance they have been eagerly waiting for.

Candidates yet to grab the nitty-gritty of CTET
Since recently introduced, pass percentage has been lower nationally in the CTET‘s conducted so far. Reasons are varied, main being candidates limited awareness of the pattern of the examination. Seized of the issue CBSE, on the instruction of the Central Govt increased the time allocation. Consequently 1% result during 2012 rose to 10% during CTET-2012. Lack of exposure and non availability of proper coaching/guidance facility had made the matter further worse, putting local job aspirants at a disadvantageous position.

Also the Four Year Integrated BSc BEd (Computer Science) passed candidates, who till 2009-13 batch had two main subjects namely Main-I : Computer Science and Main-II : Mathematics have been left out. Since they also had Mathematics as a Main subject, their candidature should have been considered for the post of GTT (Maths) as has been done on earlier occasions.

CTET norms needs to be relaxed
In view of the local candidate’s disadvantageous position vis-à-vis the evolving CTET and other local factors, authorities, as a one time measure could consider relaxing norms specifically pass in CTET and allow all the otherwise qualified local candidates to apply for the posts. In the event of non-CTET pass candidate being selected, such candidates could be given conditional appointment with the direction to pass CTET within a defined time frame.

Limited local job opportunities
Due to complete absence of manufacturing or for that matter any kind of industry, job availability for the local candidates in the manufacturing/private sector is close to nil. Further due to remoteness and islands unique problems, local candidates are a no match to their mainland counterparts. Under such circumstance it is grossly unfair to open local vacancies to candidates outside of the islands. Steps therefore need to be taken to protect the interest of local job aspirants specially Group B and Group C posts.
Under the present notification, out of the 422 vacancies, non-locals could
walk away with more than 300 posts, leaving local job aspirants high and dry

In the instant case Directorate of Education, A&N Administration had rightly relaxed the upper age limit which certainly will give local candidates some respite, but if the recruitment is conducted the way it has been advertised, out of the 422 vacancies, mainland candidates could walk away with the lions share (read more than 300 posts).

The concerned authorities therefore must take a re-look at the issue and endeavour to protect the interest of local job aspirants lest, amid raining jobs, the otherwise qualified local candidates would be left high and dry.

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