Why the age limit for Lecturers?
“After Goa was liberated, there were only three colleges in the state – Dhempe, Chowgule and St Xavier’s. That is probably why it took so long to think of awards for college teachers too. Today, there are 62 colleges in the state with 2,300 teachers employed. From next year, in addition to the eight school teachers that are felicitated, three from the higher education and technical education sectors too will be chosen for the award,” Parsekar said at the function held at Kala Academy last year.
The state abruptly set a new age eligibility criteria for college lecturers this year, though the award was announced last year.
Surprisingly, school teachers were not brought under this ceiling. Nine school teachers and heads names were already announced this year. Most higher secondary teachers and college lecturers, owing to the age limit of 55, and tough eligibility criteria, did not qualify. Only four applications were received this year, which has forced authorities to extend the deadline. The names of the two best higher secondary teachers are yet to be announced by the State.
“The purpose of the award is to encourage them to perform better. So, we felt it would be good to set age criteria to allow the award to serve its actual purpose,” Director of Education, Bhaskar Nayak explained. He further explained that teachers tend to apply for this award at the end of their careers as it carries a one-year extension of service along with 25,000 in cash and a citation.
Confirming that a similar criterion will be set for school teachers next year.
Criteria set by the Government may not necessarily be viewed as fair. Teachers do work hard and rewarding a few may not be the solution. Though, some have gone that extra mile and made a mark in the field of education.
