Dependence of KVs on contractual teachers increases threefold since 2020

According to a written response to BSP MP Ritesh Pandey by Minister of State (Education) Annpurna Devi, as on December 31, 2022, there were 10,462 contractual teachers in the KVs engaged against vacant positions.

A look at data from the past years show that from 9539 in 2018-19 and 8912 in 2019-20, the number of contractual teachers had dropped to 3260 in 2020-21 as a recruitment drive was held in 2019. However, within a year, the dependence on contractual faculty again rose to 8105, and to 10,462 by 2022.

Of the total 12,099 regular vacant posts at the KVs, 6150 come under the unreserved category, 3254 are for OBCs, while 1802 and 893 are reserved for members of the SC and ST communities, the government said in another written response to a question by YSRCP MP N Reddeppa in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

“The vacancies arise due to retirement, resignation, promotion and additional requirements on account of upgradation/sanctioning of new streams as well as enhancement of students’ strength. Filling up of vacancies on a regular basis is a continuous process and efforts are made to fill up the vacancies as per the provisions of the relevant recruitment rules of concerned Institution. Teachers are engaged on contractual basis for temporary duration by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) to ensure that the teaching-learning process is not hampered,” the government added.

There are around 14.28 lakh students enrolled in 1249 KVs across the country which were set up to primarily cater to the educational needs of the children of transferable central government employees.

Unlike Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, which are also run by the Union government, KVs are non-residential schools. At the JNVs, there are 3139 teaching vacancies currently, while in the central universities, 6028 faculty positions are unfilled, the government added in its response to Reddeppa.