Chennai, Dec 8 (IANS): Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has announced that 3,000 teachers will be appointed in government schools.
In a statement on Sunday, the minister highlighted a significant "backlog of teacher vacancies" left unaddressed during the previous AIADMK regime.
He alleged that the previous AIADMK government neglected these vacancies throughout their 10-year rule.
The minister assured that the current government led by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin was making concerted efforts to fill the secondary school teacher positions in government schools.
Anbil Mahesh attributed the increasing enrollment in government schools to improved education and infrastructure development under the Dravidian model regime.
He stated, "It is necessary to have an adequate number of teachers, and we have been initiating steps to appoint qualified teachers."
However, he noted certain challenges in completing the recruitment process.
Non-teaching staff have sought appointments and promotions based on seniority, complicating the recruitment process for teachers.
The minister emphasised that the issue had been brought to the Chief Minister's notice and assured that a suitable resolution would be reached under his guidance.
He reiterated the government's commitment to filling every teaching vacancy to maintain the quality of education in state schools.
The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has been conducting an accelerated campaign to boost student enrollment in government schools.
In the current academic year, 80,076 new students have enrolled in state-run schools.
Government schools in Kallakurichi district recorded the highest enrollment, with 10,411 new students admitted since March 1.
To increase enrollment, the Department instructed District Education Officers, teachers, and parents to promote government schools through various awareness initiatives.
Strategies included distributing leaflets, organising rallies, and displaying banners to highlight the benefits of government school education and welfare schemes.
Schools also hired autorickshaws to broadcast enrollment messages in local communities.
K. Anbarasan, a teacher in Chennai, said, "Teachers often go door-to-door to educate parents about the benefits of enrolling their children in government schools. Last year, we admitted over 200 children."
Despite these efforts, primary school teachers have pointed out challenges in competing with private schools.
R. Gomathi, a teacher from Kallakurichi, explained, "While we offer numerous benefits, we are severely short-staffed. Private schools promise a dedicated teacher per class and prioritise English, making it difficult for us to compete."
The Tamil Nadu government remains focused on addressing these challenges and ensuring that government schools provide quality education to all students.