Promotions of 25 teachers revoked in Punjab

The government has revoked the promotions of at least 25 master cadre teachers recently elevated as lecturers due to misrepresentation. The teachers were found to have completed their postgraduation —the prerequisite — after the cut-off date for seniority (July 31, 2024). Consequently, the school principals who approved these promotions are now being chargesheeted.

The Department of School Education is currently working to fill approximately 2,600 vacancies by promoting eligible master cadre teachers to lecturer positions, who teach classes 11 and 12. The promotion cut-off for applications was extended from August 5 to August 12, but the seniority list remained fixed at July 31. Some teachers who completed their postgraduation after this deadline were still promoted, leading to the cancellation of these promotions upon discovery.

Further controversy surrounds the eligibility of certain teachers promoted without holding the required subject qualifications in their graduation, or who obtained postgraduation degrees via distance learning. Under the promotion rules, 75% of lecturer positions are filled through promotions, while 25% are recruited directly.

Secretary School Education, KK Yadav, emphasised that promotions were granted according to the rules, which require candidates to have completed both postgraduation and a B.Ed. degree from a UGC-recognised university, along with at least four years of teaching experience. The revised seniority list, following a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling, was used to carry out the recent promotions.