2,000 higher secondary schools in the state, but only one librarian post; schools face shortage of librarians

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are only four higher secondary schools in the state eligible for the post of librarian when there are more than 2,000 higher secondary schools.

Of these, the Education department has given permission to appoint librarian only in one school. KPMHSS in Poonthotta, Ernakulam received permission. According to court order in 2015, librarians (grade four and three) can be appointed in higher secondary schools having 10,000 books. The other three schools with 10,000 books are Kottayam Vendayar JJMMHSS, Paravur SNHSS and Kanjiramattom St. Ignatius HSS. Not even a government school is on this list.

Schools can be licensed in the CBSE, ICSE and Navodaya sections, only if there is a library and librarian. Although schools from class one to class ten have a library, a teacher is given its responsiblity. Hundreds of people graduate every year in library science graduates, but the jobs are very less.