There is unanimity between lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and the Arvind Kejriwal Government for providing loans to students for higher education and making guest teachers permanent, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday.

Sisodia, who is also Delhi’s Education Minister, met Baijal during which the latter felt that the loan scheme should not be stopped.

Sisodia said the l-G wanted his suggestions to be incorporated in the scheme, but most of these had already been included. “I’ve submitted the files again (to the l-G) and I hope he will approve,” Sisodia said.

It may be noted that the l-G had earlier asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government to take the Centre’s opinion on student loans. “But this would have set the scheme back by two to three years”, Sisodia told the media.

On the issue of around 15,000 guest teachers being made permanent, Sisodia said Baijal is worried about the teaching vacancies in Government schools.

Sisodia said he told the l-G that making guest teachers permanent was the easiest way to fill the vacancies.

On Wednesday, the Delhi Cabinet approved a bill to make 15,000 guest teachers in Government schools permanent. It will be taken up at the Delhi Assembly’s special session on October 4.

The Assembly on August 10 put on hold the recruitment of teachers by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) till the criteria to give weightage to guest teachers is readied.

On Thursday, Baijal asked Sisodia to recommence recruitment of teachers by the DSSSB and added that teachers’ vacancies were affecting academics.

“Hiring new teachers will take two-three years and it will in turn derail the good work we’ve been doing in the Delhi education system,” Sisodia said. He said he hoped the Delhi Government will get Baijal’s support on the issue.