Teachers selected for BMC schools await appointment letters

One of the candidates, a resident of Pune, said, “I have been selected for teaching position in a BMC school, but with no appointment letter, I am unable to take a decision on shifting. All others waiting for appointment letters are facing the same issue as most are likely to relocate to Mumbai for this job and that is not an easy process.”

These are teaching candidates selected through Pavitra Portal–a technology-based centralised platform used for state-wide teacher recruitment drive held by Maharashtra government’s school education department. The state launched teacher recruitment drive in February for close to 22,000 positions in government schools across the state.

Even as candidates were selected, their appointment was initially stalled due to model code of conduct because of general elections. “But following required permission from the Election Commission, the appointment process also was started and accordingly local administrations in the state issued appointment letters to close to 15,000 candidates selected for vacant positions in schools. But BMC’s education department is yet to declare the process causing anxiety among us,” said another candidate, adding that they plan to hold agitation outside the BMC education department office to seek clarity.

According to candidates, appointment letters will also include directives of other formalities, “such as medical examination etc, which will take another month or so forcing school to continue with limited teachers,” said a candidate. Education officer at BMC, Rajesh Kankal, however said this is only a procedural delay and by next week candidates will get information on the next step. “We are trying to complete the process as soon as possible so that there will be new teachers in BMC schools as the new academic year begins next week,” he said.