Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Goa School Managements’ Association (GSMA) reiterated its demand for the sanctioning of full-time teaching and non-teaching staff in government-aided schools, calling for an end to the practice of hiring teachers on a contractual basis.
At a press briefing held at the Dnyanprasark Vidyalaya hall, GSMA action committee convenor Prashant Naik accused the Directorate of Education of delaying the approval process for full-time staff appointments for the past three years. He claimed that while certain preferred managements are granted permissions to fill posts on a regular basis, many schools, including those serving underprivileged communities, continue to face barriers in securing such approvals.
Naik, who also chairs the Shri Nirakar Education Society in Maxem, Canacona, emphasized that his institution, which serves 95% students from Scheduled Tribes (ST), has not received approval to fill regular posts for the last three years, adversely affecting student outcomes.
“Earlier, when a teacher retired, school managements could fill the vacancy within a month. However, this process has now become selective, and our repeated requests have gone unheard,” Naik said.
The association voiced concerns about the instability caused by contractual staff, many of whom are seeking permanent positions elsewhere, leading to disruptions in teaching and administration. GSMA urged that all vacant positions be filled before the commencement of the 2025-2026 academic year in June to ensure a smooth functioning of schools.
Naik also demanded that school managements be allowed to apply directly to the Directorate of Education for approval to hire full-time staff. He further called on the state government to implement the recommendations of two state-appointed committees regarding the grants-in-aid pattern and the Goa Schools Education Act and Rules, which have already been accepted by the government and are awaiting implementation.
Additionally, Naik requested the government to release grants-in-aid for pre-primary teachers in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which now includes nursery to Class II under the Foundation category.
The association also appealed for permission for private institutions to open new primary schools in Konkani and Marathi in the upcoming academic year. GSMA members Pandurang Nadkarni and Manguesh Mantrawadi were also present at the press conference.
