Action Against T Apprentice Teachers

Over 17,300 apprentice teachers who joined the Telangana strike from 16 September may not be regularised as full-fledged teachers as per schedule, as the state government has already initiated action against them for violating the prescribed DSC 2008 notification rules.

The quarterly examinations in government schools, which were scheduled to be held from 19 to 26 September, were postponed due to the teachers joining the strike.

According to School Education department officials, the erring apprentice teachers were expected to follow their service rules and complete their apprentice duration as per Rule 19 contained in GO Ms No. 221 of 16 July 1994, to qualify for claiming salary as per the regular pay-scales.

Besides, Rule 18 in GO Ms. No. 161 (related to Rule 19) issued on 6 Dec 2008, which is related to DSC teachers' appointments, also made it mandatory for the apprentice teachers to complete their probation successfully for eligibility to claim regular salary.

Out of 48,000 apprentice teachers spread out in Andhra Pradesh, 17,310 are from the Telangana region, but are bound to lose out as the government has begun the process of disciplinary action against them.

Further, teachers who abstained from their duties on 21 Sep will lose wages for all the Dussehra holidays, as the rules had made it mandatory for them to work on the day before holidays begin and on the re-opening day. (INN)