Himachal: Government may stop retirement of teachers during academic session

The government is mulling to stop retirements and promotions in schools during the academic session to ensure no teaching post falls vacant midway. It has already banned transfers during the session to ensure teachers are available at schools.

Besides, teaching posts fall vacant during the session due to round-the-year retirements and promotions. “After fixing a single window for transfers at the end of the academic session, there’s a plan to have such fixed windows for retirements and promotions as well,” says a senior official of the Education Department. “The government is planning to fix the retirement date in or around March,” he adds.

Ajay Negi, president of the state Lecturers Association, says that the move will benefit students. “When a teacher retires during the session, his post often remains vacant for the rest of the session as new appointments take time. It will be in the interest of the students if retirement takes places after the academic session gets over,” he adds.

He says that promotions during the session also disrupt studies, as the replacement of the promoted teacher is not readily available. “It’s a good move and we support it wholeheartedly,” he adds.