Chennai Teachers Demand Permanent Recruitment Over Temporary Appointments
In Chennai, a confederation of teachers who successfully passed the postgraduate examinations conducted by the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) in 2025 has called on the government to notify addendum vacancies and initiate recruitment for PG teacher positions in government schools across the state. This demand comes amid concerns over the reliance on temporary teaching staff.
Delays in Recruitment Process Criticized
Addressing the press on Wednesday, the teachers highlighted that more than two months have elapsed since the government filled 1,996 PG teacher posts with candidates who cleared the test in 2025. P Gnanambigai, a teacher representing the confederation, stated, "After this recruitment, which occurred in January, the government must immediately notify addendum vacancies and commence the next cycle of recruitment. Instead of doing that, the government is appointing temporary teachers." This delay has sparked frustration among qualified educators seeking permanent roles.
Concerns Over Temporary Teaching Staff
According to data from the school education department, more than 3,500 temporary teachers were employed in government and aided schools across the state in 2024. The confederation argues that such positions should be filled through PG teachers, ensuring stability and quality in education. The PG TRB exam is specifically designed for appointing teachers to subjects like physics, maths, chemistry, and biology in higher secondary government schools. Historically, the exam was held annually between 2001 and 2010, became biannual by 2020, and after 2021, was conducted only after a gap of nearly four years, exacerbating recruitment delays.
Career Advancement and Age Barriers
The confederation emphasized the importance of permanent recruitment for career progression. Many teachers currently working in schools require PG teacher status to advance to roles such as headmasters. "Even though many of us work in schools, we need to be postgraduate teachers to reach the rank of headmasters. Several of us even write the exam at the age of 30, 40, and 50. It is high time we get recruited," the confederation said. This highlights the age diversity among candidates and the urgent need for timely recruitment to support professional growth.
The teachers' demands underscore broader issues in the education sector, including the need for efficient hiring processes and the reduction of reliance on temporary staff to ensure long-term educational quality and teacher welfare.
