After the Rajasthan high court declaration of vidhyarti mitras appointment as illegal and unconstitutional, 24,168 para teachers assisting students in government primary schools in the state are in difficult situation. They are fearing to lose their job as well. This cadre was created by then chief minister Vasundhara Raje in 2007 to fill the vacant teaching posts till the recruitment of permanent teachers.
Started as six months teaching on a fixed honorarium in three grades of Rs 6,900, Rs 5,300 and Rs 4,800. However, their term was repeatedly extended due to unprecedented delay in recruitment of teachers marred by litigations during Gehlot regime. The court, acting on 90 applications regarding Mitras, declared them ‘illegal.’ The court order now leaves two options before the government — either to terminate the entire cadre or approach the Supreme Court to challenge the order.
Sources said that it is unlikely that the government will approach the Supreme Court as it had earlier rejected their plea to make them regular on the basis that they don’t fulfill the criteria set for teachers’ recruitment. “Teachers have to clear BEd and Teachers Eligibility Test ( TET) in order to become eligible for the job. On the contrary, Mitras are simple graduates or BEd, recruited only to assist students,” said a government official.
The order has created uncertainty over the status of these Mitras who were demanding permanent jobs. All of them have a poor economic background and are demanding immediate absorption in a new cadre ‘shikshak sahayak’ created by the government for them. The role of Sahayaks will be to look after documentary works in the schools.
Experts said that due to code of conduct, the government may not act on the issue. “For time being, these Mitras will become jobless as government’s priority is to fill teaching posts first rather than appointing shikshak sahayaks,” said a government official. Reacting sharply on the matter, Ashok Sihag of Vidhyarti Mitra Sangh said that the onus is on government to appeal in the Supreme Court seeking reprieve till recruitment of teachers.
src: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/24168-Vidhyarti-Mitras-on-the-verge-of-losing-jobs/articleshow/24892554.cms