Punjab: Appointment of master cadre teachers suspended due to model code

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Master cadre teachers were to be recruited for various subjects including science, math, social studies and Punjabi. Selection of station of their postings was also to be done on March 11. SSA and RMSA teachers of Adarsh and Model schools were also going to get letters regarding regularisation the same day.

While “hundreds” of teachers have been handed appointment letters under the master cadre recruitment process, several are yet to get the same.

“Regularisation of teachers can be delayed as it would not affect the studies because those teachers are already there, they are only to be recognised as Punjab government employees. However, non-appointment of teachers under master cadre will affect students badly for two months,” said a senior officer in the education department, adding that the department cannot go ahead without the permission of the Punjab CEO after implementation of MCC.

“We are taking up the matter with the CEO because it is a matter of students,” said another official. The notice with regard to suspension of appointments — issued by Sukhjeet Pal Singh, Director, education department (senior secondary) — also states that after taking up the matter with the Punjab CEO, the next programme will be made accordingly. Singh said that though the process of master cadre recruitment had been going on since before the announcement of elections, permission from Election Commission is mandatory for issuing new appointment letters when the code is in force.

Harjit Singh, press secretary of the SSA/RMSA Teachers’ Union, Punjab, said the recruitment must be allowed to as the delay would adversely affect students.