Education Department urged to reconsider appointments; Education Officer cites government policy, leaving headmasters concerned
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – A delegation of officials from several educational organisations, along with headmasters and headmistresses of Urdu medium schools on Friday met with Education Officer Rajesh Kankal to protest the recent appointment of Marathi and English medium teachers in Urdu schools. The delegation appealed for the appointments to be revoked, citing concerns over how non-Urdu-speaking teachers would effectively educate Urdu medium students.
However, the education officer rejected the appeal, stating that the appointments were in line with government policy.
“We have followed the government’s directive, and it is difficult to change it,” said Kankal, a response that has heightened the anxiety of headmasters and educational unions representing the Urdu schools.
The controversy stems from a recent decision by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Education Department, which issued a decree to appoint non-Urdu-speaking teachers in 56 Urdu medium schools across Mumbai and its suburbs. These teachers are set to teach students in the primary classes, a move that has raised significant concerns. Headmasters and teachers fear that non-Urdu-speaking educators will struggle to effectively teach all subjects to students in Urdu medium schools.
Javed Ansari, President of the Urdu Teachers Union, along with Abid Sheikh, Joint Secretary of the Mahanagar Palika Shakshak Sabha, and other senior representatives, led a group of 30 headmasters, headmistresses, and 50 teachers to meet with the education officer. However, only a delegation of 20 members was allowed into the meeting.
Talking to the media later Abid Sheikh said the delegation explained to the education officer the damage that could be caused by appointing non-Urdu teachers in Urdu schools. These students need teachers who understand and can teach in Urdu,” he said. However, Kankal responded by urging patience, saying, “The teachers have not even started their duties yet, and you are already drawing conclusions. Let us assess their performance first. If their results are unsatisfactory, we will reconsider the decision.”
The delegation questioned how non-Urdu-speaking teachers could handle all subjects when, in primary schools, a single class teacher typically teaches multiple subjects. “There is no period system in primary schools,” Sheikh pointed out, to which Kankal responded that a period system would soon be implemented in the primary section to address this issue.
Despite these reassurances, the delegation felt that the education officer was firmly in favour of the appointments, citing government policy as the basis for his decisions. “It was evident that they are not willing to make any changes,” Sheikh noted.
Looking ahead, the delegation plans to take further action. “We will meet with Assistant Municipal Commissioner (Education) Amit Saini,” said Sheikh. “If the issue remains unresolved, we will seek the intervention of Muslim members of the assembly and request them to take up this matter.”
The concern over the impact of non-Urdu teachers in Urdu schools remains a significant issue for the Urdu medium education community, and further discussions are expected in the coming weeks.
