Panaji, July 11: Social activist Sudip Narayan Tamhankar has urged the Goa Government to immediately review the promotion system in the Education Department and ensure that career advancement is based on merit, experience, seniority and fairness, stating that many deserving teachers have remained stagnated despite decades of dedicated service.

In a detailed representation submitted to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Chief Secretary Dr. V. Candavelou, Tamhankar highlighted the prolonged delay in promotions of experienced Assistant Teachers and called for transparent and rule-based administration in Goa’s education sector.

The memorandum states that thousands of teachers have devoted their careers to strengthening public education and shaping generations of students, yet many continue to face career stagnation despite fulfilling the eligibility criteria prescribed under the applicable service rules.

Tamhankar said that a well-governed public service depends on predictable and transparent career progression. He argued that when promotional avenues remain blocked while appointments are made through other mechanisms, questions naturally arise regarding compliance with recruitment rules, observance of seniority and equal opportunity in public employment.

The representation further emphasises that experienced teachers possess invaluable institutional memory, classroom expertise and administrative knowledge that cannot be replaced overnight. Ignoring such experience, it states, weakens educational administration and affects employee morale.

Calling for greater transparency, Tamhankar urged the Government to ensure that every significant recruitment or promotion decision is supported by complete and accurate records. If eligible candidates are available within the feeder cadre, he said, they should be considered before opting for any other mode of appointment.

The memorandum also cites constitutional principles of equality and fairness, stating that promotions are not favours but statutory processes that must be conducted objectively, fairly and within a reasonable timeframe. Delayed promotions, it says, adversely affect motivation, organisational discipline, succession planning and ultimately the quality of governance.

Tamhankar has requested the Government to undertake an immediate review of the existing promotion process, complete all pending promotions strictly in accordance with the Recruitment Rules, seniority and eligibility criteria, and rectify any procedural deficiencies without delay. He also called for an impartial examination to fix responsibility for any administrative lapses.

Concluding the representation, Tamhankar stated that teachers who have dedicated decades to building Goa’s future deserve an administrative system that values integrity, rewards experience and upholds the rule of law. He urged the Government to reinforce its commitment to transparent and accountable governance by ensuring that deserving educators receive fair and timely consideration for promotion.