Panel suggests raising teachers' retirement age

A committee set up by the highest decision making body on education has suggested a slew of measures to meet the shortage of faculties in higher educational institutions.

It has recommended that the Centre should share 50  per cent of the expenditure to be incurred on recruitments by states in the 12th Five Year Plan.

The panel, in its report to be placed before the Central Advisory Board of Education in its meeting on October 10, has also favoured raising the retirement age of state university and college teachers to 65 years as has been done for the central varsity teachers.

The age of retirement varies from state to state.  “If this is not possible due to some difficulties with the state governments, there should be a provision for re-appointment of teachers retiring at the age of 60 years on the basis of the last basic pay drawn plus commensurate allowances,” it said.

States may also be given a quota of teachers on the basis of the Gross Enrolment Ration and “severity of shortages” of faculties.

The panel observed that posts were not being filled because of a system of centralised recruitment at the state-level. Universities do not get clearance even from the respective state governments for filling the vacancies.