200 teachers await contract renewal; govt school skill classes silent

Chandigarh: Govt schools in the city reopened for the new academic session on April 1 but nearly 200 vocational subject teachers on contract, who conduct skill education classes for students, are still waiting for renewal of their annual contracts.This has cast vocational education in uncertainty at a time when CBSE is aggressively pushing skill-based learning under the National Education Policy (NEP).The teachers, engaged on yearly contracts and paid nearly Rs 20,000 a month, have not been given renewal letters this session despite contracts usually being extended around April 1 every year. Their absence has disrupted vocational periods in several schools where subjects such as information technology, retail, beauty and wellness, marketing and sales, artificial intelligence and employability skills are taught to students of Classes IX to XII.The issue reached Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria after a teachers' union submitted a representation seeking immediate renewal of services and regularisation of vocational teachers working in govt schools for years.In the representation, the union stated that vocational education was no longer an "optional activity" but a core component of CBSE's academic structure, and alleged that delaying contract renewals left both teachers and students in limbo.In recent years, CBSE has significantly expanded vocational and skill education in schools. The Board currently offers more than 20 skill subjects at the secondary level and over 40 at senior secondary level, while also directing schools to establish composite skill labs and strengthen employability-focused education in line with NEP 2020.Under CBSE's latest skill education framework, vocational education forms part of the scheme of studies for secondary classes, with employability skills integrated across courses. Subjects including information technology, tourism, banking, data science, artificial intelligence and marketing are now being actively promoted in schools.Union leaders questioned how the administration expected schools to implement CBSE's expanding vocational curriculum without teachers on duty."We are not talking about a side activity. These are regular daily classes being taken in schools. Students preparing for vocational subjects are suffering because teachers have not been renewed even after the session has started," said Shiv Murat, from the Joint Action Commission (JAC) of Teachers.He pointed out that many teachers had been serving on temporary contracts for years despite handling full teaching workloads like regular staff. "Many of us are single mothers and sole earners in our families. We are already surviving on just Rs 20,000 salary despite teaching specialised vocational subjects for years. Instead of salary increments or job security, every new session brings uncertainty over whether we will even be retained," said a vocational teacher, who has been working in Chandigarh govt schools for the past four years, requesting anonymity.The delay has also led to concerns among teachers over uncertainty in income and continuity of employment. Several vocational teachers said they did not receive any clear communication from the department regarding the renewal process despite repeated representations. Director, school education Nitish Singla did not respond to calls for comments. The uncertainty comes at a time when CBSE and the Centre are repeatedly stressing that schools must strengthen vocational and employability education to prepare students for industry-linked careers and future job markets.BOX-Clarity after PAB meetingAn education department official said the issue was linked to approval under the Samagra Shiksha framework and that the Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting was scheduled for May 20, after which further clarity on renewals was expected. However, vocational teachers alleged that the delay would effectively deprive them of work for another academic cycle as govt schools begin summer vacation from May 23 and vocational teachers are already paid only for 11 months in a year, with no salary for June due to holidays. Teachers said that if contracts are renewed only after the PAB meeting and subsequent vacation period, they may end up waiting till schools reopen despite classes having been affected for weeks. MSID:: 130980477 413 |