Over 40% of Kendriya Vidyalaya schools, which are meant for children of Central Government employees, including defence and paramilitary personnel in the country, do not have a principal. The shortage of teachers, too, has more than doubled in the past three years as there has been no staff recruitment due to COVID-19.
Several principals who spoke to The Hindu on the condition of anonymity said they were “bitter and frustrated” and complained of “employee unrest” as some of them were forced to work double shifts, and there was no scheme for career progression or a transfer policy leading to many spending “five to seven years” at far-flung stations. They complain of a “policy paralysis” when KVs’ academic performance in Class X and XII board exams has dropped from the top position to third between 2019 and 2022, and there is a need to bridge learning losses due to COVID-19.
In response to questions from this correspondent, a KV Sangathan (KVS) official said fresh recruitment will be undertaken within this academic year.
