Government introduces new posts to ensure quality education

Confirming the move by the state government,Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said,“The need for better monitoring and attention towards education programmes was realised. It was also felt that the DEOs and DPEOs need subordination of their work that is expected to result in better results.”

One Taluka Primary Education Officer appointed each for 225 talukas in the state will report directly to the existing District Primary Education Officers (DPEO) and District Education Officers (DEO). These 225 TPEOs are expected to take charge from December this year.

While,50 per cent of them will be directly appointed,the remaining appointments will be upgraded to category II from category III kelavani observers. An estimated budget of Rs 7.19 crore has been allocated for the creation of these posts. There are nearly 34,000 government primary schools in Gujarat.

Though the taluka education officers’ duty is to ensure implementation of education programmes,along with maintaining discipline among taluka primary schools teachers,the power of decision making lies with the district education officers.

As per the area of duties under the TPEO,they have to ensure implementation of education programmes,including shala praveshotsav,kan ya kelavani and gunotsav,midday meals,Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA),Right to Education Act,availability of infrastructure including drinking water for children among other basic facilities.

The financial aspects like salary and reimbursement of primary schools in the respective talukas will also be taken care of by these taluka level education officers. Apart from ensuring implementation of RTE Act,the taluka primary education officers have also to examine if there is any complaint has been received against any school under RTE Act. The report thus prepared on the basis of the complaint will be submitted to the district level education officers.

However,creation of this new post across the state is seen as a cover-up measure taken by the state government and is also viewed as a mode to accommodate “favoured” candidates in these posts. At a time when the department is reeling under severe staff crunch,new posts have been created instead of filling these vacant administrative posts.

TPEOs must ensure

100 per cent enrollment retention after enrollment

Organising and implementation of shala praveshotsav,kianya kelavani,gunotsav and school health programme

Implementation of RTE Act and examine complaints against schools

Implementation and quality of Mid day meal

Primary school teachers maintain discipline

Projects under SSA

Disbursement of grants to schools

Supervise salary,reimbursements to primary school teachers

Monitoring of cluster and block resource centres,beat observers

Basic infrastructure in schools including drinking water,toilets,playgrounds and medical facilities