Create head teachers’ posts without condition: Assam State Primary Teachers' Association

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam State Primary Teachers' Association (ASPTA) said that if the headmaster's posts are not created in very primary schools unconditionally within October 31, then every headmaster in charge will resign from their post. The association informed the Directorate of Elementary Education (DEE) through a letter about their decision.

ASPTA has conducted various protest rallies throughout the years regarding the creation of headmaster posts in primary schools. The association also had various meetings in regards to the same with the government. The Assam Cabinet has decided to create the post of headmaster in primary schools on August 2. As per Cabinet decision, all in-charge Head Teachers (HT) of LP Schools with enrolment of 150+ will become regular HT with a pay scale of Rs 14000-60500 + Grade Pay of Rs 7600. The post will be created by upgrading the Senior Most Asst. Teacher. The head teacher in charge of LP schools with 100-149 enrolments will be vested with DDO power and function. Such a head teacher in charge will get a charge allowance of Rs. (300+500) = Rs. 800. These HT in-charges will be upgraded to full-fledged HT once they achieve 150 enrolments. The above 2 categories of HT will also be vested with Drawing & Disbursing Officer (DDO) power in respect of the staff of the teachers of the nearby LP schools with lesser enrolment, which will be clustered around an LPS having 100+ enrolments. The DDO status of District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) in respect of LPS teachers will cease.

However, ASPTA is not content with the Cabinet's decision. Through the letter to the DEE, APSTA said, "The conditions imposed by the Cabinet for the creation of HT posts are unacceptable under any circumstances. These terms are at our discretion. The decision is confusing, shortsighted, unscientific, and a bad signal to the schools. There are no ways to fix the enrollment in schools. There might be changes in the enrolment; in an academic session, if there are 150 students in any session, then the next session might be less, and vice versa."

The letter also stated, "According to the Right to Education Act, under sections 19 and 25, the teacher-student ratio is clearly mentioned. It mentioned that if there are 150 students, then the teacher-student ratio should be 30:1, including the head teacher. And if the enrollment is above 200, then the teacher-student ratio should be 40:1 additionally with the head teachers. So, the Act specifies that if there are more than 150 students, there should be a head teacher. But there is no clause that says that a head teacher is not required if there are less than 150 students."

"The fifth Executive Meeting of the ASPTA was conducted in Guwahati on April 30, 2023, which decided to undertake agitation programmes for the creation of Headmasters posts. In recent times, the ASPTA has decided not to accept the responsibility bonus of Rs 300 from July 19. The state cabinet decided to create the post of head teacher in primary schools amidst the ongoing struggle."

Further, ASPTA said, "If within October 31 the head teacher posts are not created or appointed, then all in-charge teachers will resign and they will only undertake the teaching responsibility."

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