Telangana math teachers allege workload
As per the Right to Education norms, a teacher should teach only 30 periods a week but math teachers are forced to take 36 periods a week.
Hyderabad: The dispute between teachers of mathematics and physical science (physics & chemistry) in Telangana government schools regarding the amount of workload each one has to bear, continues unfettered. Math teachers allege that they have more work than physical science teachers as they are forced to teach Class VI and Class VII grades which are supposed to be taught by physical science teachers.
As per the Right to Education norms, a teacher should teach only 30 periods a week but math teachers are forced to take 36 periods a week. Though Telangana Teachers Associations have approached the higher authorities many times to resolve this, the issue continues to be a bone of contention since the last couple of years.
To reduce the huge burden on math teachers, physical science teachers’ posts were created. Physical science teachers were appointed in 2002 to teach physics and chemistry from eighth to tenth grades. However, due to a protest by physical science teachers a few years back, math teachers were asked to teach math subject to Class VI and Class VII grades.
Pasupuleti Narendra Swamy, state president from Telangana Mathematics Forum, said, “We are demanding that the same pattern that we have had from 2002 onwards, should be continued. If at all any changes are required, it should be scientifically researched by SCERT. If it is compulsory to make changes we are demanding two teachers for math for the classes 6-10. As per NCERT guidelines, equal importance is to be given for math and science.”
Karantoth Mahipal, a physical science teacher said, “Due to Continuous Comprehensive Evalu-ation(CCE) in the state syllabus, now even science teachers are more burdened due to science practicals and other extra-curricular activities in the syllabus. We also have to teach around 33 periods in a week due to which we are unable to teach math subject to Class VI and Class VII. According to Right to Education Norms, only math teachers should teach math subject for Class VI and Class VII grades. As there is no clarity among the teachers about this, the education department should resolve this issue as soon as possible.”
Chava Ravi, general secretary, Telangana United Teachers Federation, said, “Already there is less enrollment in government schools and if these kind of disputes continue, why would parents be willing to enroll their wards in government schools?”