From Contract to Classroom: Himachal’s SMC Teachers Step Closer to Stability
In a move that brings hope to hundreds of educators across Himachal Pradesh, the state government has opened the doors for regularizing 1,284 School Management Committee (SMC) teachers—many of whom have served for years under temporary contracts. With a five percent relaxation in the Limited Direct Recruitment (LDR) quota, the long wait for job security is finally showing signs of progress.
The Directorate of School Education issued a formal notification following a cabinet decision, setting the stage for a structured recruitment process. The Himachal Pradesh School Education Board in Dharamshala will oversee the selection, and successful candidates will first be appointed as job trainees before being absorbed into the regular teaching system.
A Step Forward for Dedicated Educators
This year, 143 teaching positions across various categories—TGT, Shastri, Drawing Master, and Language Teacher—will be filled under the relaxed LDR quota. These posts are part of the 1,427 total vacancies identified, with the remaining 1,284 SMC teachers to be gradually adjusted in future years as vacancies arise.
The current recruitment includes:
- 62 posts for Junior Basic Teachers (JBT)
- 6 for TGT Sanskrit
- 16 for Drawing Masters
- 11 for TGT Hindi
- 24 for TGT Arts
- 13 for TGT Non-Medical
- 11 for TGT Medical
A Long-Awaited Recognition
For many SMC teachers, this decision is more than just a policy change—it’s a recognition of their years of service, often in remote and challenging environments. These educators have been the backbone of rural schooling, working with limited resources and uncertain futures.
The education department clarified that while the full quota of 1,284 vacancies isn’t currently available, selected candidates will be gradually absorbed as new positions open up. The relaxation in recruitment rules ensures that their transition into the formal system will be smoother and more inclusive.
What This Means for Himachal’s Schools
This move is expected to bring greater stability to the teaching workforce, improve morale, and enhance the quality of education in government schools. It also reflects a broader commitment to valuing grassroots educators who have long operated on the margins of the formal system.
