Opposition to Karnataka govt’s move to deploy PU lecturers to teach high school students

Lecturers of Government Pre-University Colleges (PUC) in Karnataka, who are teaching I and II PUC students, will now be required to teach classes 9 and 10 of high schools as well.

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has decided to amend the ‘Karnataka General Services (Pre-University Education) (Recruitment) Rules 2013’ and has submitted a proposal to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR).

“If these rules are amended, the principals, lecturers and staff of government PU colleges currently under the purview of the pre-university section of DSEL will come under the purview of the Department of Public Instruction,” sources said.

Principals and lecturers of government PU colleges have opposed the move and warned of a protest.

Currently, there are separate cadres and recruitment (C&R) rules for the staff of PU and high school education. The respective Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) of the DSEL is the recruitment authority for high school teachers.

Similarly, the Deputy Director of Pre-university (DDPU) is the recruitment authority for pre-university lecturers and other staff. Candidates who have done B.Ed along with graduation are recruited for the post of ‘Group-C’ grade high school teachers for classes 8 to 10.

However, the post of lecturers in PU colleges is of ‘Group-B’ grade, and only candidates who have done B.Ed along with a post-graduate degree are recruited.

In the Central curriculum schools, including Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), in Karnataka, teaching is being done from classes 1 to 12.

After establishment of Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) in the State, education is being provided from classes 1 to 12 under one roof on the model of Central curriculum schools. Recently, steps have been taken to provide pre-primary level education in KPSs.

In residential schools in Karnataka, education is being provided under one roof from classes 6 to 12.

Recently, the government of Karnataka announced that it will start a total of 900 KPS across the State from the next academic year, taking the number of KPS to 1,309.

In this context, the government has taken steps to amend the rules to assign lecturers who are currently teaching I and II PUC to teach high school students as well.

In 2022, the then BJP government had tried to amend the rules. However, the move was abandoned following opposition by lecturers and principals of pre-university colleges.

The State Government is once again moving to amend the Karnataka General Services (Pre-University Education) (Recruitment) Rules-2013.

PU lecturers oppose

The Karnataka State Pre-University Colleges Lecturers’ Association alleged that the proposed amendments to the rules will threaten academic discipline, academic grades, administrative rights and departmental autonomy.

Ningegowda A.H., president of the association, said, “Reducing the lecturers from Group-B cadre to Group-C is against the principles of ‘Karnataka Civil Services Rules’. It will also affect the professional dignity of lecturers. PU education is not an extension of the school level, it is the source of preparation for higher education. The proposed amendment will put additional burden on lecturers and hinder their commitment to their duties. The government should drop the proposal to amend the rules. Otherwise, lecturers and principals of all government pre-university colleges will boycott classes and stage a protest.”