Patna: The Bihar Secondary Teachers Association has opposed the state government decision to rope in guest teachers to teach English, mathematics and science subjects in various upgraded high schools.

As per the state cabinet's decision, working or retired assistant professors and associate professors will be appointed as guest faculty at high schools.

The teachers will be paid up to Rs 1,000 per class and a maximum of Rs 35,000 a month.

"The state government policy is just an eyewash as they will not get teachers for teaching at high schools," said association general secretary Shatrughan Prasad Singh. "Why will a teacher working at a university or college go to schools for teaching, especially in rural areas?"

He is not entirely off the mark, because even universities and colleges are not getting guest faculty.

Singh said that the state government should have opted for promoting teachers working at secondary and high schools. According to Singh, there are many secondary school teachers who are qualified to teach at the plus-Two level. The government overlooking them to hire teachers from outside will also create resentment, Singh said.

The state cabinet on Tuesday decided to appoint guest faculty at high schools for English (1,041 teachers), mathematics (791), physics (1,024), chemistry (974), geology (137) and botany (290). These teachers will be appointed only till regular teachers are appointed. There are 4,257 vacant post of teachers in these subjects.