Four out of five school teachers in state are women - 2

P R Nadkarni, SSA director, said, “Guidelines from the human resource development ministry propose that 50% of teachers in schools be females. But unlike in other states, in Goa we do not have to make any special effort to meet this.”

He further said, “I have been part of school managements throughout my career and I have seen that nearly 90% of candidates that appear for interviews for teachers are women. This, even though schools do not show any preference in the appointment of women for the post of teachers.”

However, officials of the directorate of education (DoE) said that most co-ed schools prefer physical education teachers and guiding captains to be women, as 50% of the students are girls. Besides, girls schools have always preferred women as teachers. Both Nadkarni and D’Souza, admit that sociological factors also play a large role. The profession’s hours involving only half a day’s work allows women to balance a family and professional life quite well. Nadkarni said, “The profession allows women to have a family and at the same time gain the status of working women.”

D’Souza added, “Now the profession is seen as more socially acceptable amongst men then in the past. Therefore, more men are opting for it. It is no more an option men choose when other avenues are closed.”

V B Saxena of the state statistics department states that women in the state find teaching a easier option. “Most of those that opt for humanities at graduation go for a teacher’s training course and then naturally for a teaching job. The job provides them security at the same time they do not have to leave Goa.”