3 months pregnant? You can’t get govt teaching jobs in Haryana

The decision of the state education department to not allow women to apply for government teaching jobs if they are more than 12 weeks pregnant has invited widespread criticism from the teaching fraternity and the National Commission for Women (NCW).

The decision of the state education department to not allow women to apply for government teaching jobs if they are more than 12 weeks pregnant has invited widespread criticism from the teaching fraternity and the National Commission for Women (NCW).

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The rule will apply only to new applicants and not those already working as government school teachers.

However, teachers feel the decision is unwarranted.

“On the one hand, we want to promote women by giving them equal rights, but on the other, such policies hamper their growth. We are absolutely against the move and if such a decision is taken, we will protest against it,” said Bal Krishan, president, Haryana School Lecturers’ Association.

Government schools in Gurgaon are already facing severe staff crunch. The fresh appointment of teachers had brought a ray of hope to them.

At present, there are 2,115 posts of primary teachers whereas only 1,492 posts have been filled. In the Masters cadre, 114 posts are vacant and 131 posts of lecturers are vacant.

“This is not justified. The policy should be modified as a woman contributes to the society by giving birth to a child. The government needs to reconsider its decision,” said Charu Wali Khanna, member, National Commission for Women.

State education minister Geeta Bhukkal, said, “This was a clause in the policy but it certainly needs to be reviewed. I will look into the matter.”