Governing bodies regain authority to recruit school-college staff

The Ministry of Education has restored the authority of managing committees and governing bodies to recruit non-teaching staff at private MPO-listed schools and colleges, revoking the system that required recruitment recommendations from committees led by deputy commissioners (DCs).

The Secondary and Higher Education Division issued a circular on Tuesday, cancelling its 28 September 2025 directive and reinstating the relevant provisions of the recruitment guidelines issued on 10 January 2024.

Under the revised rules, governing bodies and managing committees will once again oversee appointments to MPO-approved non-teaching posts at private lower secondary schools, secondary schools, higher secondary colleges and degree (pass) colleges.

The ministry, however, kept the existing recruitment procedures for principals, vice-principals, headteachers and assistant headteachers unchanged. The restored system applies to other MPO-approved posts, including trade assistant, office assistant-cum-computer operator, office assistant-cum-accounts assistant, computer lab operator, laboratory assistant, security guard, cleaner, night guard, aya and office support staff.