As the deadline set for the warring para teachers to resume work comes to an end on Tuesday the Government is still indecisive about its future course of action. Situation has worsened even further after threat perception to regular teacher and unenthusiastic response seen to the appeal of District Education Officers and Block Education Extension Officers to find replacement of the agitating teachers.

When asked about what is next with the Government’s armory Primary Education Secretary Amrendra Pratap Singh talked about appropriate legal action. “When it is being said that those para teacher who would not join their service would be dismissed it does not mean that the State Government would do that. Since the State Government is not their appointing authority how can it remove them? We can only follow the legitimate process in place,” the Secretary told The Pioneer on Wednesday.

Unofficially it is being said at the Department level that if the situation continues like this for couple of more days the State Government would report to the Center that has been the funding agency for the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) and  had appointed around 67000 para teachers in Jharkhand.

In the meanwhile many DEOs and BEEOs following the directions of the Department have issued an appeal to retired teachers, Teacher Eligibility Test passed candidates and trained persons to apply as replacement.

“It is appealed to those who are retired teachers or JAC organised TET qualified or have attained training from any Government approved training institute to apply with scanned copies of their TET certificate and training certificate with name, photo, address and contact details and send their applications on the email id given by 22.11.2018 so that your honorarium based service can be considered to be taken,” reads such a notice issued by Latehar DEO. There are 471 schools completely relying on para teachers.

Simdega DSE went on calling a meeting of the aspirants on November 22 in order to deal with the situation. Such appeals are being issued on the directions of the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) on November 16 after the agitating teachers went on indefinite strike across the State badly affecting teaching and other activities in primary schools. However response to the appeal is negligent looking at threat, poor remuneration on offer and possibility of losing the engagement once the phase is over.  

The Department at the same time had also deputed regular teachers to the affected schools and the BEEOs have been told to issue directions in their respective areas. Nevertheless the measure has so far failed to yield results amid reports of obstructions put in place by aggrieved para teachers.

“I went to join the new school after being relieved from the parent school but found the school locked. I am being told the keys are with the para teacher. There are reports of para teachers issuing warning to the deputed teachers,” said a teacher requesting anonymity. 

On their part para teachers have planned to give arrest on Thursday in support of their jailed companions who have been put in Hotwar after violent clashes with the police on November 15.