All teachers may not get extension

The CBSE has made it tougher for teachers and school heads to continue teaching after retirement at the age of 60.

Teachers who are recipients of either national, state, or CBSE teacher awards, and who have an excellent track record and leadership qualities, have so far been considered eligible for extension. The board has now decided to extend the facility to only national award winning teachers.

The board has reduced the service extension given to teachers from five years to two years. Retired teachers were permitted to work until 65 years, but that is now down to 62 years.

Also, schools cannot grant extension in service without the prior approval of the board, which will examine each case and communicate its decision to the school.

Ms Anjali Razdan, 58, vice-chairperson of a cluster of CBSE schools in the city and principal for 27 years, said this rule was unfair.

“In education, experience matters a lot. The older you are the better. At least half of the schools in Hyderabad have principals over 49 years of age. Some of them are working without any health worries until 65 years. To lower the age is not a good decision,” she said.

Jain Heritage School principal Mona Mehndi did not think the curtailment of age would have much of an impact as teachers in Hyderabad rarely work after retirement.

“Due to grown up kids and pressure from family not to work at such an age, most teachers voluntarily opt out of service. Upon requests of the management, only a few work, but that is only part-time or to hold counselling sessions,” she said.