To do away with an acute shortage of teaching staff in the rural areas, Madhya Pradesh government has decided to re-appoint retired teachers.

The decision to re-appoint retired teachers was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held last evening here, officials said.

Retired teachers who are physically and mentally fit will be re-appointed, they said adding their superannuation age has been fixed at 70 years.

The teachers, who are interested in teaching and give their consent after superannuation will be re-appointed in rural areas, they said.

In case, a retired teacher is unable to continue teaching due to health reasons, his re-appointment will be cancelled after he gives a month's notice or surrenders one month salary, they said.

The retired teachers roped in service will be entitled to casual and optional leaves alike government servants, officials said adding that, however, they won't be entitled for any other benefits as given to government employees.

There was a shortage of around 1.39 lakh teachers in Madhya Pradesh, sources said adding that the teaching in the state's rural area has got a knocking for a low teaching staff.