The Ministry of education fails to attract substitute teachers to replace those on maternity leave. Of the 193 teachers who availed maternity leave, the ministry was able to replace only eight.
“The number is significantly less,” said the education minister, Norbu Wangchuk in the National Assembly, today.
Lyonpo said the authority to recruit substitute teachers for those on maternity leave is with the school.
“When we discussed with the school principals, the reason why they could replace only eight teachers is because, when we first started the policy most of the teachers just resumed school from their maternity leave and didn’t see the need to replace any.”
Lyonpo also said some teachers were on contract terms and that those on contract are not entitled for maternity leave.
“Some of the schools decided not to substitute teachers who take maternity leave, after their syllabuses have been covered.”
As per ministry’s proposal, Royal Civil Service Commission consented to substitute the teachers on maternity leave by recruiting contract teachers early June, this year.
RCSC decided to recruit replacement contract teachers after realizing that the number of female teachers likely to avail maternity leave is high.
There are over 3,000 female teachers of which 2000 fall between the age of 21-35 years
