Bhubaneswar: Faced with a shortage of teachers in upgraded higher secondary schools, the state govt has decided to engage guest faculty to tide over the crisis until regular appointments are made.The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) has ordered district education authorities to initiate the engagement of guest faculty in 71 newly upgraded govt higher secondary schools for the current 2026-27 academic session. These institutes are existing govt high schools which have been upgraded from secondary level (up to Class 10) to offer higher secondary education (Classes 11 and 12).According to official figures, 358 of the 1,734 sanctioned teaching posts in the 71 schools are vacant.In a letter to district education officers-cum-district project coordinators (DEO-cum-DPCs) of 21 districts, DHSE director Niyati Pattnaik outlined the guidelines and a time-bound schedule for the selection process. The move follows approval by the school and mass education department.According to the guidelines, retired teachers will be given preference. If eligible retired teachers are not available, fresh candidates will be selected strictly on merit. The entire selection process is to be completed by Nov 18.Fresh candidates must have a master’s degree in the subject concerned with at least 50% marks or an equivalent grade. For subjects requiring a BEd qualification, a degree recognised by the National Council for Teacher Education is mandatory.The appointments will remain valid until the commencement of summer vacation or the posting of a regular postgraduate teacher (PGT), whichever is earlier. The directorate has asked principals of the 71 schools to initiate the process immediately and adhere to the prescribed guidelines and timelines to ensure that academic activities are not affected during the current session.The decision, however, has not gone down well with teacher aspirants awaiting regular recruitment. They have questioned the govt’s move to engage guest faculty when several qualified candidates are waiting for an opportunity to teach through regular appointments. They fear such temporary arrangements could further delay the recruitment process.The concerns come against the backdrop of significant vacancies in govt and govt-upgraded higher secondary schools.School and mass education minister Nityananda Gond had informed the state assembly in Sept that the recruitment process to fill these vacancies through Odisha Public Service Commission was underway.Separately, the govt is processing the creation of 1,342 additional teaching posts in 193 newly upgraded higher secondary institutions.