Pune: School Education Department has announced that contractual teachers will be appointed to schools with an enrollment of fewer than 20 students, offering a monthly remuneration of ₹15,000.

This decision comes after the earlier initiative to appoint retired teachers to such positions. However, the shortage of retired teachers in these schools has led to a new policy, aimed at preventing vacancies and ensuring that students' education is not compromised.

Zilla Parishad schools across the state are facing a shortage of teachers, with many positions remaining unfilled. To address this gap, the education department had initially decided to recruit retired teachers until regular staff could be appointed through the Pavitra system.

Although this was a temporary solution, it drew criticism. Now, the new decision allows the appointment of unemployed D.Ed. and B.Ed. qualified candidates on a contractual basis, ensuring that schools with low enrollment continue to function without educational disruption. This policy was officially announced on Teacher's Day, highlighting its importance.

Under the new policy, schools with an enrollment of 20 or fewer students can appoint either a retired teacher or a D.Ed./B.Ed. qualified candidate to one of the two teaching positions.

Retired teachers, who can be up to 70 years old, must be physically and mentally fit, with no pending disciplinary inquiries. The appointment period for retired teachers and contractual candidates will initially be for one year, with an option to extend for up to three years or until the teacher turns 70.

Unemployed candidates with D.Ed. and B.Ed. qualifications will be subject to the standard age limits set by the government. They will be paid a monthly salary of ₹15,000, along with 12 annual leaves.

If their performance meets expectations, their contracts will be renewed annually. Contractual teachers will be under the supervision of the education department officials, and any unsatisfactory performance could lead to termination. If the student enrollment exceeds 20, these teachers will remain in their positions until regular staff is appointed.

Santosh Magar, President of the D.Ed./B.Ed. Students Association, has voiced opposition, arguing that only regular teachers should be appointed to ensure quality education for students.