Deployment and Professional Competence of Para-Teachers. Abridged Report

Abstract

The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, commissioned the study for providing research based evidence on deployment strategies and professional competence of para-teachers engaged on contractual basis in primary and upper primary schools of different states. The states selected for conducting the study were Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as they represented the variation in respect of the policy and strategy for appointment of para-teachers. The study was commissioned to National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) which was provided with a statement of the objectives of the study and the expectations from it. In particular, the study was expected to examine the present status of para teachers in the selected states in respect of their recruitment, deployment, qualifications, emoluments, service conditions, and provision for their training. The opinion of different stakeholders was also sought on the performance of para-teachers and how they compared with regular teachers. Their job satisfaction and aspirations and the problems faced by them were also to be assessed through this study. The study had to look into the policies of State Governments towards para- teachers. Also based on the findings of the study, measures for improvement in recruitment and deployment procedures and enhancement of professional competence of para teachers were to be suggested.