Mangaluru : The government has taken steps to recruit 300 teachers to schools in Dakshina Kannada. The recruitment process is expected to be over by August end, thus putting an end to shortage of teachers, according to Walter D’Mello, Deputy Director, Department of Public Instruction.

Stating this at the council meeting of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat on Tuesday he said that 103 teachers who were found “extra” without workload have been re-deployed through counselling on April 16.

Of them, a maximum of 33 teachers were in Mangaluru City South Block followed by Sullia and Puttur blocks which had 22 teachers each. Bantwal block had 14 “extra” teachers.

He said that posts of head masters in some schools were vacant and they have to be filled up through counselling. Some teachers were not willing to take up the posts.

When the recruitment process of new teachers would be over, all the problems relating to shortage of teachers are expected to be addressed.

Responding to a suggestion by a member of the House, the official said that schools can not relieve students admitted under the provisions of Right to Education Act midway, after completing class eight to join class nine or 10 elsewhere, unless there was a strong reason.

He said that he would instruct all block education officers to look into this issue and make schools take their permission, if transfer of admission was to be issued.

Earlier, the member alleged that some private schools in order to show better results in SSLC, were making slow learners or those who did not score good marks quit midway to join other schools.

Ivan D’Souza, MLC, told the House that he would consult with B. Ramanath Rai, Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada, to review the progress of schoolroom construction works taken up under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan in the district.

Vice-president of the panchayat Satish Kumpala said that as the contract for constructing the rooms has been awarded at the State level, the zilla panchayat did not have any control over the agency which has been awarded the contract.

He requested the MLC to take up the matter in the State level to address the issue.