The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has granted the state government the freedom to formulate a policy for outsourced computer teachers.
Justice Vivek Singh Thakur clarified that pending petitions would not hinder the process of policy formulation, with the next hearing scheduled for July 25. The court emphasised that the government was free to frame a policy for computer teachers, taking into account the court’s orders from June 5, 2014. It was in 2014 that the High Court had directed the government to explore the possibility of creating a policy addressing the demands of computer teachers.
Several petitioners have challenged the recruitment rules for computer teachers, which include a requirement of five years of experience for eligibility. Computer teachers with over 21 years of service have also filed a petition, urging the court to regularise their employment and provide them with the minimum pay scale offered to regular teachers. Additionally, they have requested to be treated on par with contract or ad hoc teachers. These computer teachers have been serving in various schools across Himachal Pradesh since 2002.
Currently, there are 1,326 computer teachers providing services in government schools in the state. Despite assurances from successive governments, no permanent policy has been established for these teachers and their honorarium has not been increased. The government has frequently relied on outsourcing computer teacher services from various companies. Recently, the teachers staged a demonstration outside the Secretariat in Shimla to protest against this decision.
