The division among ranks of Prathamik Shikshak Sangh (PSS) appears imminent as a big group of teachers, most of whom appointed after the year 2006 are up in arms against PSS for ignoring their problems. These teachers have formed ‘Uttarakhand Prathamik Sikshak Sangharsh Samiti (UPSSS)’ to put pressure on the leadership of PSS. However, the PSS which is holds considerable political clout in the state, retaliated by removing three leaders of the UPSSS from its primary membership. The new teachers are now demanding that the PSS should take back the suspension of Anoop Jadali, Anil Kotnala and Subodh Kala.
When contacted the Secretary of UPSSS, Amit Goswami said that the new teachers feel that PSS is not taking up the issue of disparity in minimum salary of Primary teachers vis a vis other teaching cadres and implementation of a transparent transfer act seriously enough. He said that thousands of teachers appointed after 2006 and Shiksha Mitras promoted as primary teachers are feeling alienated by the attitude of PSS. He said that the UPSSS is not a separate entity but only a group within the organization. The UPSSS is demanding that the primary teachers should get an entry level scale of Rs 16290 and want abolition of block cadre scheme. Its other demands are giving right of mutual transfer, proper act of transfer and benefit of Assured Career Progression (ACP).
When contacted the state General Secretary of the PSS, Digvijay Singh Chauhan told The Pioneer that the organisation would not tolerate indiscipline and most of those protesting are either not members of PSS or became members only in year 2015. He said that the UPSSS had not consulted its issues within the organisation. Chauhan said that the issue of abolishing the block cadre which is raised by the UPSSS is not acceptable to the PSS.
“The schools located in the mountainous areas of the state are facing the problem of paucity of teachers. By creating a block cadre we ensured that the teachers are present in these schools,’’ Chauhan said. On the main demand of pay disparity of primary teacher of UPSSS, Chauhan said that the PSS is committed for the benefit of teachers but added that everything is needed to be done according to certain procedures. The PSS leader added that there is no threat to PSS as the number of such teachers is very low.