Union human resource development ministry may allow states to relax the minimum qualification rules for teaching job in schools. This is being done in an effort to reduce problems being faced in the implementation of the Right to Education Act faced due to shortage of professionally qualified teachers.
Official sources stated that currently there was a shortage of nearly five lakh teachers in schools. “The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, which came into effect from April 1, prescribes the norm of one teacher for every 30 students at elementary level. Several states are facing difficulties in getting adequate number of trained teachers to meet this criteria,” sources stated.
The issue assumes significance as state education ministers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal had met Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal earlier this week to discuss the problems being faced by the states in the implementation of the RTE.
As per the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules 2010, which has been notified by the government for Union Territories, the Centre can relax the prescribed minimum qualification rules for teachers. The notified rules state that “The Centre can give relaxation in certain cases where the states do not have adequate institutions offering courses or training in teacher education or persons possessing minimum qualifications are not available in sufficient numbers.”
However, this relaxation can only be made after the state governments request the Centre within one year of the commencement of the act. “Once the request is received the Centre will examine the request of the state government and may relax the minimum qualification,” the rules adds.