Govt returns non-teaching staff recruitment power to MPO school, college governing bodies

The government has returned the authority to recruit non-teaching staff in MPO-listed private schools and colleges to the governing bodies of the respective institutions.

The Ministry of Education's Secondary and Higher Education Division issued a circular today (21 July), cancelling a previous directive issued on 28 September 2025 that had assigned recruitment recommendations to a committee led by deputy commissioners (DCs).

The latest circular also restored the relevant provisions of the recruitment guidelines issued on 10 January 2024. According to the circular, governing bodies of MPO-listed private junior secondary schools, secondary schools, higher secondary colleges and degree (pass) colleges will again be responsible for recruiting employees for MPO-approved non-teaching positions.

However, the existing provisions regarding the appointment of principals, vice-principals, headteachers and assistant headteachers will remain unchanged. The ministry said recruitment for other MPO-listed posts excluding teachers will now follow the relevant provisions of the 2024 guidelines.

Under the restored system, appointments to posts including trade assistants, office assistants-cum-computer operators, office assistants-cum-account assistants, computer lab operators, research or laboratory assistants, security guards, cleaners, night guards, ayahs and office support staff will be conducted under the previous rules.

Earlier, the 28 September 2025 circular had transferred the authority to recommend appointments for these posts to a committee headed by district commissioners. The latest directive has cancelled that arrangement and reinstated the previous recruitment process through the institutions' governing bodies.