CHENNAI: PMK founder S Ramadoss has urged the state government to stop appointing teachers to government schools on temporary basis and make appointments on permanent basis only.

In a statement, the senior leader said that the government proudly claims that 14,019 teachers have been appointed on temporary basis through School Management Committees. "This is a shame not an achievement."

He recalled that the government had promised to appoint permanent teachers through the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) but despite 2 years, temporary teachers continue in the schools. "If the government decides, it can appoint permanent teachers within 6 months. The government is not interested in providing quality education, " he said.

Saying that the temporary teachers are provided a monthly salary of Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 12,000 each and the salary is insufficient, appointing temporary teachers amounts to exploitation.

"Also, temporary teachers' appointment is against social justice as School Management Committees do not follow reservation. If permanent teachers are appointed, social justice can be implemented. The government is betraying social justice by appointing temporary teachers, " he alleged.

Moreover, responsibilities could not be fixed on temporary teachers and this would lead to deterioration of education quality in the schools. "Since DMK came to power, only 2,207 post graduate teachers have been appointed despite more than 15,000 teachers having retired from the service during the period. DMK had promised to give permanent jobs to temporary teachers before coming to power, " Ramadoss added.

He urged the government to fill the vacant posts in government schools with permanent teachers to ensure quality of education.