Thiruvananthapuram: The government has argued that higher secondary teachers work no more than two hours a day on average. It also said there is no need for a full-time clerk in higher secondary schools, noting that the principals’ teaching load was cut down to 8 periods a week to handle those duties.

The order, issued by the joint secretary of the General Education Department, followed a petition filed by the manager of Ernakulam Valayanchirangara Higher Secondary School, who sought the creation of posts for a clerk, librarian and full-time non-teaching staff.

The order noted that if such non-essential posts were granted, all schools would demand them, which would cause severe financial strain on the government. Since teachers do not have a heavy workload, it is directed that they also take responsibility for the library in higher secondary schools.

The petitioner argued that under the Kerala Education Act, clerks and staff should be appointed on the basis of the number of students. He also complained that although facilities had been provided, no librarian post was sanctioned. The government responded that, at present, no clerk, librarian or full-time non-teaching posts have been allotted to any school, either specifically for higher secondary or based on the number of higher secondary students.

Reading period and grace marks, but not librarians

The government is preparing to award 10 grace marks for promoting reading as a learning activity. The Supreme Court had earlier issued a directive allowing the post of librarian.

However, the government issued an order on May 30 stating that the post could not be created due to financial constraints.