Ferozepur, May 1, 2013: The Punjab Government Aided School Teachers Union (PGASTU) had been demanding the merger of aided schools on the pattern of neighbour states Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh as the existence of these schools is in danger. Under the Delhi Grant and Aid System 1967, when recognition to these schools was given, 9648 teaching and non-teaching posts were sanctioned but according to information of Jan 31, 2012, 5068 posts have become vacant and from rest of the posts, the officials have since retired. In the coming some time, these schools will be at the verge of closure and few of them have since been closed because after 2003, there had been a ban on recruitment on the fresh appointments.
The most surprising factor is that the Education Minister, Sikandar Singh Maluka after taking into confidence the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal released a statement in a section of the Press on April 30 this year, to the effect that the intention of the government towards this issue is positive and the matter is in progress. Only the time will tell now, as to how much time it will take to fill up the vacant posts and merger of government aided schools.
Ajay Thukra and Bihari Lal Doda, the Union representative expressing their concern over this sensitive issue said, the government is in need of 10,000 teachers in its schools against the existing strength of 4,000 teachers and these are experienced teachers. The government is already paying the 95 per cent for these teachers and by paying another only 5 per cent grant, the problem of shortage of teachers can be easily solved. It is pertinent to mention here that in the neighbouring states the grand in aid was only 75 per cent against the 95 per cent in Punjab and by paying another 25 per cent, those states have merged the government aided schools in government schools.
Thukral further said, about Rs.250 crore as CP fund of these employees is lying as deposit with the government and the 5 per cent extra can be easily given from the interest of this deposit. In case, no immediate decision is taken by the government, in the coming few years, the existing staff too will be retired and there will be no other alternative except closing of these schools. The purpose of introduction of RTE Act would also be lost.
Thukral appealed to the Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka and Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal that now it is not the time to think it over but to adopt some policy by taking a decision in the cabinet to give it a practical shape to keep intact the rights of the government aided school teachers besides taking care of the future of the students.