Govt school teachers not to get more than two CLs in NovDec

The education department has taken decision to ensure that studies are not hit ahead of exams

LUDHIANA:State education department has directed government school teachers not to avail more than two casual leaves (CLs) in November and December.

Usually, teachers are seen accumulating this leave for use in these two months, considered to be the ‘wedding season’.

The department wants to ensure that studies are not hit, just three months ahead of exams. Till now, teachers were allowed three CLs in December and there was no ceiling for November.

A woman teacher can avail a maximum of 20 CLs in year. For male teachers, the number of CLs allowed is based on the length of service, with only those with more than 20 years of work allowed 20 CLs.

MIXED REACTIONS FROM TEACHERS

Teachers have a wide range of reactions to the directive. A government school teacher Parminder Kaur, said, “My cousin is getting married in Jaipur on December 20 and I have booked a train ticket. I will avail leave without pay, as it is an important family function,” she added.

Another government school teacher, Shilpa Joshi, said, “In December, the majority of the teachers take long leave, overburdening the staff that is left behind. This move is for the benefit of students.”

A chemistry lecturer Varinder Pathak, said, “I appreciate the move. In case of an emergency, more than two CLs must be sanctioned for teachers.”

TEACHERS ATTENDING SEMINARS

The majority of teachers claimed that, even as November had started, studies were being hit as lecturers were busy attending 1-3 day workshops on ‘Padho Punjab, Padhao Punjab’ being held across the state.

TILL NOW, TEACHERS WERE ALLOWED THREE CLs IN DECEMBER AND THERE WAS NO CAP FOR NOVEMBER