CAN THE DEMAND OF AD-HOC TEACHERS BE JUSTIFIED?

I can’t understand why people develop such trivial attitude towards adhoc teachers in Sikkim. The recent facebook status uploaded by many people regarding their dislike towards the adhoc teachers’ demand and the comments made by some dim-witted people calling them losers and incompetent, whereas some making a mockery out of them while some giving them a political stance were indeed so defiant that I could not refrain from outpouring my opinion.

It is evident that the adhoc teachers have been playing a significant role in the holistic development of our students. Their contribution towards the students’ scholastic and co- scholastic sphere is at par to the contribution made by any regular teachers. The demands laid forth by the adhoc teachers are quite justifiable to some extent.

Competency of Ad-hoc Teachers- Many time I come across post on Social Medias where people call ad-hoc teachers incompetent. It is a known fact that, in order to get a job of a teacher one has to undergo a series of almost six exams and interviews. Starting with their prescribed qualification like Bachelor Degree for GT, Master Degree for PGT and Class XII for primary teacher [1], followed by entrance exam for perusing B.Ed or D.El.Ed degree [2], only after passing the entrance one get to pursue the said degree. After a prolong study of two or one year and undergoing workshop based activities one is eligible to sit for the final exam of B.Ed or D.El.Ed degree [3]. The journey of qualifying for teacher does not end here. Furthermore, one has to prepare for Teacher’s Eligibility Test [STET] [4]. Only after qualifying the hurdles of these four exams they are eligible for written [5] and viva- voice interview [6]. Therefor it is understood that a teacher working on ad-hoc basis has definitely qualified four series of examinations, which I doubt any employee working under any department would do. Despite being goaded with such qualification and experience so much of almost 23 years people call them incompetent.

Does ad- hoc teachers fail to qualify interview? Well! Handful of them do but majority of them have the capability to qualify but the post created by the department is so less that they cannot get through. For a ley man’s example, if 4 sweets are kept in front of ten children, how many would eat it, obviously four fastest children would get the opportunity [qualify] to have it, but does it mean that the other six are incompetent or failure? One should understand that every new post created are being filled up by teachers who were working on ad- hoc basis earlier.

Feasibility for regionalizing ad-hoc teachers completing 5 years and above- The Government itself has made provision to regularize ad- hoc, work charge and MR employees working in various departments who have completed 5 years and above, then why is there so much reluctance to imply the same provision for ad-hoc teachers who have all the prescribed qualification as per NCTE norms and service term? Teaching being a profession which requires ample experience, the prescribed criteria of 5 years and above best fits for ad- hoc teachers.

Do schools in Sikkim require more regular teachers? The answer would definitely be YES! The recent data on regular and ad-hoc teachers ratio shows that majority of the teachers working in school of Sikkim are under Ad- hoc basis. The data is best justified when ad-hoc teachers had called for pen down strike in the previous year, majority of the school had suffer due to lack of regular teachers. Further, with the recent notification on upgradation of schools, one can easily figure out that more teachers are required for those schools.  

Taking into account the above predicaments, if provision be made for regular continuation or regularization for ad-hoc teachers, than this will indirectly benefit the students in the long run, as schools would be getting teachers from the very beginning of their academic session, principles and headmasters need not go for customary rat- race, hunting for the teachers in the department when the school starts.

Since there aren’t adequate regular posts created by the department, the ad-hoc teachers are at least filling that vacant post in most of the schools, and have been a great asset for overall affairs of the school administration. They are teachers who have spent 5 to 10 years or even more years of their life, imparting education to the students; they are age- barred and unable to opt for other job. Inspite of job insecurity, and family pressure, they have devoted their life for creating good doctors, engineers, teachers and above all good citizens of our society out of plain students. Their versatility is show when students are inspired and involved in different school activities or through NGOs like Red Ribbon.

After all the contribution they have been making to this noble profession, the ad-hoc teacher does not deserve to be treated like a scum.   The department ought to make some provision for them to work in a secure environment. furthermore, some strategic amenities like regular continuation for teachers who have not completed prescribed term [with fresh appointment order every year], remunerating the teachers on seniority basis, making certain reservation for adhoc teachers while recruiting regular teachers, provision for availing maternity leave [if they should have the right to conceive] or giving some relaxation on TET criterion, can be managed by the department so that the adhoc teachers feel that their efforts are being acknowledged.   

The recently ongoing turmoil of has set a rift between ad-hoc teachers and the department. This has not only disrupted school functioning, but has posed a threat to the students from completion of their syllabus. The Human Resource Development Department, which is considered to be the most venerated and elite department of Sikkim should come- up with convincing strategy and curb the growing rift at its earliest, because in the long run, students are the one who are suffering from this commotion.    

Teaching is one such profession which needs optimum dedication and commitment. Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of every individual to encourage their potentialities and motivate them to work even better for the students, rather than making a mockery out of them on social networks and portraying them with baseless political fabric. As majority of the ad-hoc teacher are young and energetic, the department should relish the opportunity to outsource their potentialities for the betterment of the students. Every youth are not useless but they are used less, Moreover, they are also the sons and daughters of the soil who epitomize a true Sikkimese.