With ayah appointments on hold, instructors face tough time handling toddlers at govt schools in Narayanpet | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The govt’s move to introduce LKG and UKG classes in govt schools has received a good response from parents in Narayanpet district, but the non-appointment of ayahs (helpers) at 44 pre-primary schools has left instructors struggling to manage the toddlers.The district had 12 pre-primary schools last year and established 44 more this academic year, taking the total to 56. As per U-DISE data, 1,034 children have enrolled in these schools, where LKG and UKG education is provided free of cost.

According to an instructor, the education department had invited applications for 44 instructor and 44 ayah posts on a contractual basis. Intermediate was prescribed as the minimum educational qualification for instructors and Class VII for ayahs. As many as 505 candidates applied for the instructor posts, while 184 applied for the ayah posts.The instructors were selected and have started teaching the children. However, though candidates for the ayah posts were also selected, they have not been appointed. This has left instructors to manage the children on their own, particularly during lunchtime and other activities when the children require supervision.At the Govt Primary Girls School in Narayanpet town, 17 children have enrolled in the pre-primary section. While an instructor has been appointed, no ayah has been posted. The instructor is therefore facing difficulties in looking after the children during lunch and other times. Similar difficulties are being reported at all 44 newly established pre-primary centres.District education officer Govindaraju said the applications received for the instructor and ayah posts were scrutinised and candidates selected as per the directions of higher authorities. “We selected candidates for both instructor and ayah posts after scrutinising the applications. The higher authorities have instructed us to keep the appointment of ayahs on hold. We will take further action as per their directions,” he said.