LG, AAP government agree on student loan, guest teachers: Sisodia

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) Delhi's Lt Governor Anil Baijal and the AAP government were on the same page on providing loans to students for higher education and making guest teachers permanent, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday.

Sisodia said he met Baijal earlier in the day during which the latter felt that the loan scheme should not be stopped.

He said Baijal wanted his suggestions to be incorporated in the scheme, but most of these had already been included.

"I've submitted the files again (to the Lt Governor) and I hope he will approve," Sisodia said.

The Lt Governor had earlier asked the Aam Aadmi Party government to take the Centre's opinion on student loans. But this would have set the scheme back by two to three years, Sisodia, who holds the education portfolio, told the media.

On the issue of around 15,000 guest teachers in Delhi whom the AAP government plans to make permanent in service, Sisodia said Baijal was worried about the teaching vacancies in government schools.

Sisodia said he told the Lt Governor that making guest teachers permanent was the easiest way to fill the vacancies.

On Wednesday, the Delhi Cabinet approved a bill to make 15,000 guest teachers in government schools permanent. It will be taken up at the Delhi assembly's special session on October 4.

The assembly on August 10 put on hold the recruitment of teachers by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) till the criteria to give weightage to guest teachers was readied.

On Thursday, Baijal asked Sisodia to recommence recruitment of teachers by DSSSB, adding that teachers' vacancies were affecting academics.

"Hiring new teachers will take two-three years and it will in turn derail the good work we've been doing in the Delhi education system," Sisodia said.

Sisodia said he hoped the Delhi government will get Baijal's support on the issue.