No more ‘VIP’ postings in Punjab schools, finally
The Tribune Editorial: Teachers’ postings must be linked to student-teacher ratios and local needs.
THE Punjab Government’s decision to end ‘VIP’ or choice postings for teachers is a welcome assertion of fairness. The state has long struggled with an inequitable deployment of educators — a problem that goes beyond administrative convenience. Thousands of rural and border schools are reeling under crippling staff shortages, while urban schools often have a surplus. This imbalance has a direct bearing on students’ futures. Recent data reveals that about 2,667 primary and upper primary schools in Punjab do not meet the Right to Education norms for teacher strength, and ASER 2024 found only 34 per cent of Class III children in rural areas could read basic text. It is not surprising that where teachers are few or multitasking across classes, exam results have collapsed. In some Class 10 government schools, pass rates have sunk below 20 per cent.
