Mumbai, June 25: The Maharashtra government has made a significant decision to ease the criteria for appointing teachers in rural and remote areas to ensure that students’ education is not disrupted.
During a question hour in the Legislative Council, State Minister for School Education, Pankaj Bhoyar, announced that secondary schools in rural and remote areas with 20 or more students in grades 9 and 10 will now be eligible to appoint three teachers.
This decision marks a change from the previous government order issued on March 15, 2024, which stipulated that only schools with 40 or more students, located within a 3 to 5-kilometer radius of a ‘zero-post’ school, could have three teachers.
The government made this adjustment in response to requests from local representatives and the ground realities faced by students. The revised order was issued on May 11, 2026.
The minister emphasized that while urban students have multiple educational options, rural students, especially girls, often have to travel to other villages for schooling. Therefore, the government has established separate standards for rural areas to prevent student dropouts.
In response to questions from legislators, the minister assured that transparency in the recruitment process is a top priority for the government.
He noted that on November 14, 2025, the High Court dismissed a petition challenging the government’s initial order, affirming that the March 15, 2024 GR aligns with the Right to Education Act of 2009.
To address ongoing issues, special meetings with teachers and legislators will be convened.
Additionally, the minister announced that a high-level meeting regarding the regularization of contract teachers working in the PESA areas of Gadchiroli will take place soon.
He clarified that the PESA Act aims to provide employment to local tribal youth, with reservations determined according to the local Scheduled Tribe population.
While some cases are pending in the Supreme Court, the government has already initiated the appointment of contract teachers at the local level to prevent disruption in education.
Teachers who have qualified through the TET and TAIT have been regularized, while the process for other eligible teachers is being updated according to the General Administration Department’s order dated February 11, 2026.
In response to questions regarding the lack of safe toilets for girls in schools, the minister stated that the government will soon conduct a new baseline survey across the state. All necessary construction work will be completed within 4 to 6 months.
The new audit will include separate and safe toilets for girls and boys, drinking water facilities, electricity, sanitary pad vending machines, and library rooms where needed.
The government will expedite these initiatives by combining funds from the District Planning Committee, CSR, and other social welfare schemes.
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