IT major funds schools to pay teachers

In an initiative that would go a long way in boosting the educational prospects of tribal children living in remote and hilly areas, a major Information Technology company has begun providing funds to recruit teachers for schools located in these difficult terrain.

Under Cognizant Outreach initiative, the salaries of a postgraduate teacher handling chemistry at Valparai Boys Higher Secondary School and a PG Economics Teacher and Computer Science instructor at Valparai Girls School were being funded by the company.

All the three teachers, who were appointed last month, handle classes for Plus One and Plus Two students who would be taking their public examinations in three months’ time.

The Cognizant Outreach is a social participation programme of the company and includes volunteer efforts undertaken in the field of education in U.S., U.K. and China besides India.

Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday, Chief Educational Officer A. Gnanagowri said that schools situated in difficult terrain such as hilly or remote areas have few takers among teachers during counselling as many prefer to live in the plains due to family circumstances.

Recruiting locals

While the head masters try to get local people, the schools do not have enough funds to pay salaries. As such, funding from private sources would help recruit qualified teachers from the hill areas itself and bring down the vacancies in these schools.

Under the Coimbatore Region, she said that five government higher secondary schools and an equal number of government high schools were located in difficult terrain. These initiatives would benefit a large number of students from hills’ tribal community and children of labourers could benefit.

Eligibility

Qualified candidates residing outside the hilly areas but willing to work there would also be considered. While applicants for postgraduate teacher (Plus One and Plus Two) vacancies must have a PG degree in the relevant subject besides a B.Ed. qualification, undergraduate teachers (standard X) must have a bachelor’s degree besides a B.Ed., informed Ms. Gnanagowri.