A stark tale of inequality unfolds in Delhi’s government schools, where women teachers face artificial barriers to advancement. Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has fired off a letter to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, demanding an end to the Directorate of Education’s gender-segregated seniority lists.
These separate rosters mean prolonged waits for women eyeing promotions to PGT, Vice Principal, and Principal posts, while men surge ahead. Backing his case, Gupta enclosed a grievance from Niti Bharara Oberoi of Udita Society for Welfare of Teachers, filed on January 26, 2025.
Legal wheels are turning: the Delhi High Court is hearing arguments, with the department acknowledging on May 1, 2025, plans to merge lists. The LG office went further, recommending stakeholder consultations and a standing counsel review to merge them equitably.
But actions speak louder—the department is still floating promotion proposals from PGT to Vice Principal using the old, divided lists. This, Gupta contends, is a direct assault on women’s career rights.
In his missive, he urges the LG to step in decisively: direct officials to scrap discriminatory practices immediately and freeze promotions until lists are unified fairly. ‘Justice for women teachers is non-negotiable,’ he writes, insisting departmental lapses shouldn’t prejudice their claims.
This episode spotlights deeper systemic issues in public sector employment. A positive response from the LG could not only rectify immediate wrongs but also bolster confidence among educators, signaling zero tolerance for bias in Delhi’s administration.