(a) whether the most serious problems being faced by the Elementary Education Sector, in most of the educationally backward States, is the filling up of vacant posts of teachers and appointments of additional teachers;
(b) if so, whether the issue has been discussed with the
State Governments; and
(c) if so, the outcome thereof and follow-up action taken
in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI JAYASINGRAO GAIKWAD PATIL)
(a) to (c): Filling up of vacant posts of teachers and
appointments of additional teachers is primarily the
responsibility of State Government s and UT administrations.
However, the Central government under the scheme of
Operation Blackboard provides financial assistance to the
State Government for appointment of third teacher in primary
Schools where enrolment exceeds 100 and additional teachers
in upper primary schools on the basis of proposals received
from them. Additional teachers are also provided under the
District Primary education Programme when new schools are
opened or when there is increased enrolment. There is
constant interaction with the State Governments and
resultantly there has been considerable progress in the
appointment of teachers. The expenditure towards the
payment of salaries of teachers under Operation Blackboard
has gone up from Rs. 98.75 Crores in1997-98 to 286.40 Crores
in 1999-2000.