Ministers, legislators in Telangana get teachers as PAs

Hyderabad: More and more government teachers are becoming personal assistants of ministers, MLAs and MLCs in Telangana. While teachers are not supposed to be engaged in non-academic activities, the government itself is flouting the norm and sending teachers as PAs to ministers, MLAs and MLCs under pressure from these public representatives.

The Telangana state government has appointed 24 teachers as PAs on deputation, despite the current shortage of over 10,000 teachers in government schools, which cater to the needs of students from under-privileged sections, who cannot afford costly private education.

Though deputation of teachers for non-academic duties has been adversely affecting academic activities in these schools, this practice continues unabated. Some more applications seeking PA posts for MPs are pending with the government.

Teachers lobby to become PAs to avoid working in government schools in villages and remote areas and to stay back in towns and cities while drawing teachers’ salaries from the Education department.

There is also tough competition to secure PA posting to VIPs as teachers believe that they can earn “extra incomes” for five years in addition to their salaries due to their clout as PAs. Considering their accessibility as PAs to VIPs, generally visitors approach them first, seeking appointment and other favours, which come at a price.

This is also being cited as one of the prime reasons for the huge rush for PA posts. As per norms, MLAs and MLCs have the choice to select their PAs from any government department.

Out of nearly 40 such appointments made since June last year, 24 were teachers, while the rest were chosen from other departments like Revenue, Panchayat Raj etc.

“Normally, politicians opt for teachers as they have good writing and letter drafting skills. As public representatives, we attend several programmes besides submitting various representations to the government on constituency issues. Teachers are helpful for us when it comes to drafting press releases or representations,” said Mr Paturi Sudhakar Reddy, MLC.

The teachers meanwhile draw salaries ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 90,000 per month as PAs for VIPs instead of taking classes for students in schools. Academicians opine that the purpose for which they have been appointed is being lost on account of this.
 

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