Kerala Expedites Regularisation of Special Educators Following Supreme Court Directive
Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty announced on Saturday that the state government is accelerating the process of granting permanent status to special educators working with children with disabilities. He also cautioned the public against misleading propaganda circulating on this matter.
Supreme Court Order Triggers Swift Action
The minister confirmed that this initiative aligns with the Supreme Court’s directive requiring all states and union territories to create sanctioned posts for special educators and ensure their regular appointments. The apex court had earlier stipulated that vacancy details must be published on the education department’s and government’s official websites, along with notices in leading newspapers. Appointments are to be made based on academic qualifications prescribed by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).
Three-Member Screening Committee Formed
To streamline the process, the government has constituted a three-member committee comprising the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, the Secretary of the General Education Department, and an RCI representative. This committee will evaluate the credentials of special educators who have been working on contract or daily-wage basis for nearly two decades. Where necessary, age relaxation will be granted, and eligible teachers will be absorbed into regular posts with appropriate pay scales.
Over 2,700 Educators Poised to Benefit
Currently, 2,707 special educators are employed on contract under the Samagra Shiksha Kerala scheme. The government is taking concrete steps to regularise all eligible candidates, a move expected to bring long-awaited job security to this workforce.
Clarification on Affidavit Misinterpretations
The state has also filed a positive affidavit in court, seeking additional time to complete the exercise. Minister Sivankutty expressed regret that certain individuals are misreading the affidavit and spreading false narratives. He urged stakeholders to rely on official communications rather than unverified claims.
Teacher-Student Ratio and Cluster Model Under Consideration
As per the Union Education Ministry’s norms, Kerala will maintain a teacher-student ratio of 10:1 at the primary level and 15:1 at the upper primary and secondary levels. Additionally, the government is exploring the adoption of a cluster-based deployment system to optimise the utilisation of special educators across schools.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the interests of special educators while ensuring that children with disabilities receive quality education. Officials emphasised that both objectives remain central to the ongoing reforms, with further announcements expected as the screening process progresses.
