Education Department faces shortage of sports teachers

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 7 

Ahead of the ‘Inter-District Teachers School Games’, to be held in Ludhiana from December 26 onwards, the Education Department will hold trials for the same, from the next week onwards. 

Ironically, while the games are being held to provide a fillip to sporting activity among teachers – to in turn serve as an inspiration to students – The Education Department has shortage of sporting teachers for the past over a decade with several sporting wings at schools also having been closed recently due to the dearth.

A letter issued by the department clearly states that of the total participating teachers at the upcoming sporting event, as many as 33 per cent will be of teachers of the physical education cadres (PTI, DPE, lecturer, physical education and sports-related promoted headmasters and principals. 

Meanwhile, 67 per cent of the teachers shall be those of the other subjects. Teachers from primary schools can also participate in the event.

Majority of the teachers of 33 per cent (physical education) slot, are laying empty. 

There are about 200 posts of Director, Physical Education, in the district, of these, only 35 have been filled. Of the posts of PTEs as well, only about 200 are filled, while over 250 are vacant. The last time recruitments were made in 1994. 

Barring five physical education lecturers, recruited last week, no other recent recruitment has been made. Of the total 60 - lecturer of physical education posts – however, 53 are filled. 

Assistant Education Officer (AEO), Jalandhar, Harvinder Singh, said: “We will hold two-day trials for all teachers from the next week onwards. All teachers from primary, middle, high and senior secondary schools can apply for the same.”

“While 33 per cent teachers will be from the Physical Education cadres. As many as 67 per cent will be other teachers from government schools. Selection will be made on the basis of trials.The date will be announced soon,” he added.

While the games (also listed as per the Inter-District School Games calendar for the year), will be held from December 26 to December 28 in Ludhiana. Teachers will compete in various games. Entire expenses of the event (DIET, bus expenses) will be borne from the district sports fund. The stay of teachers, participating in the games, will be arranged by the district administration of Ludhiana.