Severe staff shortage stalls crucial works at Education Dept offices in Mumbai
Up to 80% of the posts remain vacant in Mumbai’s West Division, which oversees 783 schools, as well as the South Division under which 418 schools function, sources said.
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With the offices being understaffed, vital tasks like processing of teachers’ Provident Fund, promotions, medical reimbursements, and recognition orders are stalled, causing frustration and distress among school teachers and principals. (File Photo)A serious staff-crisis is crippling the school education sector in Mumbai. While lack of teachers has always been a major concern, now teachers have come forward highlighting a more serious issue: severe shortage of staff in the Education Department’s offices across three divisions of Mumbai – North, West and South.
With the offices being understaffed, vital tasks like processing of teachers’ Provident Fund, promotions, medical reimbursements, and recognition orders are stalled, causing frustration and distress among school teachers and principals.
As per data accessed by Anil Bornare of the BJP Teachers’ Association, the North Division, which oversees 527 schools, has only two deputy education inspectors against six such posts and two assistant deputies instead of seven. Both superintendent posts are vacant, besides nearly half of the clerical and peon staff.
The situation is similar with up to 80 per cent posts remaining vacant in the West Division, which oversees 783 schools, as well as the South Division under which 418 schools function. Additionally, half of the senior clerk posts and two-thirds of the junior clerk posts remain vacant, severely impacting office operations.
“Some of the few remaining clerks are deputed to the Mantralaya and the deputy director’s office, leaving local education offices even more understaffed,” Bornare said, adding that with 1,728 schools relying on these offices for regulatory and operational support, it is pertinent that the staffing crisis be resolved urgently.
According to teachers, the shortage of manpower means that various administrative works remain stalled for a long time. As a result, timelines prescribed by the Maharashtra Right to Service Act to ensure ease of service in the education sector. “This backlog is not only affecting teachers but every stakeholder in the school system, including students,” said Bornare while urging school education minister Dada Bhuse to take corrective measures.
Confirming that there is considerable vacancy in education department offices, Rajesh Kankal, Deputy Director of Education, Mumbai, said, “The concern has been raised with the state’s education department which fills the vacancy through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), especially for clerks. Posts of deputy and assistant officers are filled through promotions. And its requirement too has been communicated to the government.”
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