Maternity, childcare leave for women teachers to be sanctioned within 15 days

Applications submitted by women teachers seeking maternity leave, childcare leave, or a combination of both will be processed and sanctioned within 15 days by the competent authority, School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa informed the Legislative Council on Monday (March 16).

Replying to BJP member Y.M. Satish, the Minister said the government is taking steps to ensure that requests related to maternity and childcare leave are addressed within a fixed timeframe. A policy will be formulated to ensure that applications for maternity leave are approved within 15 days of submission.

Transfer choice

He added that women teachers returning to duty after maternity leave can seek a transfer to a place of their choice during counselling. This facility will be available until the child completes five years.

The Minister said a new category will also be introduced for maternity-related transfers. He added that the overall process of teacher transfers in the State will be completed before the start of the academic year.

To ensure that academic activities are not affected, guest teachers will be appointed during the maternity or childcare leave.

Vacancies in PU colleges

Responding to another question from BJP member S.V. Sankanur, the Minister said the government will examine filling vacant teaching posts in Pre-University (PU) colleges that have been separated from composite degree colleges. Appointments of lecturers in such institutions will be made based on workload.

Mr. Bangarappa added that the government is also examining proposals related to the creation of new subject-wise teaching posts in such colleges. A decision will be taken after reviewing the proposals submitted by the respective managements.

Physical education

Clarifying that moral education is not being taught during physical education periods, the Minister said that physical education teachers will be given priority in the proposed recruitment of 15,000 teachers. At present, 3,361 posts in primary schools and 1,861 posts in high schools are vacant.