Seniority no longer the sole criterion to appoint civic school principals

MUMBAI:TO fill positions of principals and improve the quality of education imparted at civic schools, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) introduced a selection process to fill 50% vacancies. Earlier, principals would be appointed as per seniority.

The move comes as a relief for schools that have been operating without principals for years.

“With no one to take decisions at school-level, it impacts academic and administrative works,” said a principal of a civic school in Chembur.

A resolution passed by the BMC, altering criteria for appointing principals, reads: “With most senior teach- ers nearing retirement, most are disinterested in taking up the responsibility of a principal. This results in vacancy at the top, which affects decision-making at the school-level.”

The resolution was passed after Samajwadi Party corporator Rais Shaikh moved a motion proposing the change in norms related to appointing principals.

“The move will bring quality to civic schools, as deserving candidates will be selected instead of those who have spend more years in service,” Shaikh added.

As per new norms, a committee can be formed to appointment principals. Also, teachers who have completed 12 years of service and have no pending enquiries against them would be eligible to participate in the selection process.