In support of 20-point demands, Uttarakhand Government Teachers Union (UGTU) continued its protest at different Government schools by boycotting evaluation of Board answer sheets on Sunday. If State Government does not act soon, Uttarakhand Class X and Class XII Board results will be delayed and students, who wish to study in universities outside the State, could suffer.
Meanwhile, to discuss on their 20-point demands, the school education director CS Gwal has called meeting with union members on Monday. He claimed that Board results will be declared within stipulated time.
The union joint secretary Renu Sharma said they had protested at block education office on February 8 and district education office on February 22 in support of 20-point demands which included transparent transfer policy, formation of teachers’ welfare fund, transfer on medical grounds, additional allowances for those teachers who are teaching in schools located in mountainous parts, teachers deputed on Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan duties should not be assigned with school works, as per Government order, post of physical education lecturer should be created, teachers’ retirement age should be 62 years, teachers or principals who have been working in the schools, located in most inaccessible area for the last 15 years or more, should be transferred in schools, located in accessible area among others.
In the past, several memorandums were submitted to the authorities but the Government and education officers remained apathetic.
Recently, school education director CS Gwal had assured fulfillment of their demands but a month has passed without action being taken.
Due to negligent attitude of the state government, the union has decided to boycott evaluation of answer sheets.
Critics opine that students might lose an academic session, if union continues its strike for long. The demands of the union are too broad to be addressed swiftly. It will be interesting to see how education officers convince the union members to call off their agitation in the interest of the students.