Panaji:The Goa government has sanctioned a special medical leave policy granting up to 365 days of fully paid leave to regular teachers of government and government-aided schools diagnosed with terminal illnesses, according to an official order.
The Director of Education Shailesh Zingde on Tuesday issued the order, following the government’s decision, approving the implementation of the Special Medical Leave Policy with immediate effect.
As per the order, the policy applies to all regular teachers working under the jurisdiction of the Directorate of Education, Goa. It will be governed by the provisions of the Goa, Daman & Diu School Education Act, 1984 and Rules, 1986, read with the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, as applicable.
The policy defines terminal illness to include later-stage cancer, end-stage organ failure involving kidney, liver or heart, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and progressive neurodegenerative disorders. The illness must be certified by a recognised government medical authority.
Eligible teachers will be entitled to up to 365 days of fully paid medical leave. Any extension beyond this period will be considered only upon the recommendation of a Government Medical Board and with the approval of the government, the order reads.
To avail the leave, the concerned teacher must submit an application to the Head of the Institution along with a medical certificate issued by Goa Medical College, Bambolim, and other supporting documents, if required. The Head of the Institution will forward the application to the Directorate of Education for verification and approval. In necessary cases, the matter may be referred to a Government Medical Board for further evaluation.
The order states that during the leave period, the teacher’s service benefits, including seniority, continuity of service, pensionary benefits and other admissible entitlements, will remain unaffected.
Heads of government and government-aided primary, secondary, higher secondary and special schools have been directed to ensure strict, timely and non-discriminatory implementation of the order and to avoid any delay in processing eligible cases.
