Information sought under the Right to Information Act has shown that the School Education Department had recruited part-time teachers who do not fulfil government-stipulated qualifications.

In 2012, the government recruited as many as 16,549 part-time teachers for three streams — drawing, physical education and vocational subjects, which included music, computer application, horticulture, life skills and communication, masonry and tailoring. Now that some 12,000 teachers have sought permanent positions, teacher associations are raising questions about their qualifications.

The government norms require that teachers must have passed class 10 and must possess the technical examination higher grade certificate. The teachers must also have undergone a three-month technical teacher certificate course.

However, the details sought under the RTI by a city-based teacher found that quite a few teachers did not possess the technical teacher training certificate. For instance, in Kancheepuram district as many as 61 teachers do not possess the certificate. Similarly, in Tirupur (10) and Dindigul (22 teachers) did not have the required training. In Theni district one of the three teachers had not completed the training. “I was part of the selection committee and noticed that many names were included in the final list without the committee’s knowledge,” alleged S.A. Rajkumar, president of Art Teachers Welfare Association.

He said many teachers’ associations had echoed his concern. “In the six districts we found 200 teachers without qualification. We believe there are at least 2,000 unqualified teachers,” Mr. Rajkumar said.

An official of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, which recruited the teachers, said the allegations had to be verified. “We have received a petition alleging irregularities in appointment. We have to verify the details provided under the RTI. Then we will have to verify if the teachers have the certificates,” he said.