Appointment process for tribal mentor-teachers going at a slow pace in Keralam

KOZHIKODE The appointment process of Gothrabandhu mentor-teachers for students from ultra-marginalised tribal communities is reportedly going at a slow pace in Keralam. Social activists are concerned if the delay will aggravate the dropping out of students from these communities. The Gothrabandhu project was launched in the 2017-18 academic year in the State to specifically curb dropout rates among tribal students and improve their quality of learning and education.

Adiya, Paniya, Kattunayakan, Urali, and Cholanaykkan are among the ultra-marginalised tribal communities. However, the appointment process was stalled recently after the High Court issued a stay order based on a petition filed by former mentor-teachers, who opposed the government's decision to discontinue the renewal of their annual job contracts and launch a fresh recruitment drive. According to M.

Geethanandan of the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha, the government had notified the vacancies of 326 posts of mentor-teachers for lower primary classes in the three districts.