30% posts in school education dept lie vacant, reveals RTI query

The office of the deputy director of school education, which is in charge of schools colleges up to class XII in the city, is short-staffed by over 30%.

According to an RTI filed in July, 83 positions in four offices in the city are lying vacant.

The information was sought by Chetan Pednekar, member of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena. As per the information provided by the office of the deputy director of education, Mumbai, out of the 86 positions at the deputy director, Mumbai division office, 25 are vacant.

The situation is similar at offices of the education inspector across three zones.

Of the total 174 clerical posts, over 62 are vacant. These are mainly grade C officers — assistant inspectors, chief clerks, clerks, assistant account officers and drivers.

However, authorities said the vacant posts are being filled by the procedure as prescribed by the state government and hence the gap.

“The state government employs people through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. This is a long process and hence filling the vacancies takes time,” said NB Chavan, deputy director of school education.

Chavan said services are not hampered. “The employees are putting in extra work and managing the department fine,” he said.