The posts of librarians in 28 government schools of the district are lying vacant for the past several years due to which teachers are being burdened with the work of issuing books.
There are total 50 posts of librarian, of these 38 posts are sanctioned and 12 are temporary. While temporary are filled, 28 sanctioned posts have been lying vacant.
There are a total of 19 blocks in Ludhiana. Posts of librarians are lying vacant in three blocks — Doraha, Ludhiana 3 and Mangat 3. While three schools fall under Doraha block, Ludhiana 3 and Mangat 3 have one school each.
Recently, the central government had sent funds to Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for construction of libraries and last year schools had received funds to purchase books for library.
Talking to Hindustan Times, a government school principal, requesting anonymity, said, “What is the use of library if the posts of librarians will keep lying vacant in schools? I have deputed one of the teachers to issue books to students, but this is an additional burden on the teacher as she has to maintain a record. The post of librarian is lying vacant in my school for the past eight years and the authorities are doing nothing to fill these posts.”
Another principal of a government school, who wished not to be named, said, “We are short of classrooms in our school due to which we have been running the library and staff room in one room. Now, we have received fund of Rs 7 lakh to construct library in our school, but the post is still lying vacant for the past 10 years.”
{{/usCountry}}Another principal of a government school, who wished not to be named, said, “We are short of classrooms in our school due to which we have been running the library and staff room in one room. Now, we have received fund of Rs 7 lakh to construct library in our school, but the post is still lying vacant for the past 10 years.”
{{/usCountry}}When contacted, district education officer (secondary) Gurjot Singh, said, “I am aware that many posts of librarians are lying vacant here, and there is a need to fill these posts. We have sent a list of vacant posts of librarians in government schools to the head office, and the government has already started recruiting candidates to fill these posts.”