The indefinite dharna of the agitating Shiksha Acharyas (SA) completed two years on Tuesday. These Shiksha Acharyas are camping at Old Raipur bus stand since June 3, 2012 and are demanding that they should be adjusted as Shiksha Mitras (SM) in the education department.
The President of Shiksha Acharya / Anudeshak Federation, D S Bisht told The Pioneer the state cabinet had taken a decision to induct 910 SA as SM on February 28 but authorities are yet to release the Government order (GO) in accordance with the wish of the Cabinet. Bisht said that the State Government would be solely responsible if the hitherto peaceful agitation takes a violent turn. He reminded that in the year 2010 the struggle of SAs turned violent as one of the agitators attempted immolation. Bisht said that in last two years the agitators faced atrocities like lathi charge and arrest but the resolve of the agitators stood firm in the face of all adversities.
These Shiksha Acharyas were employed to bring out of the school children in fold of elementary education under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in remote and inaccessible areas of the state. For very deprived children like those living in streets some Alternative and Innovative Education (AIE) centers were also opened under SSA and instructors were posted in them. A total of 2883 SA and instructors were employed from 2001 to 2008 under SSA and were given a paltry wage of Rs 2500 only. The government decided to shut these EGS and AIE centers in a phased manner from the year 2008 and by March 31 2012 all such centers were closed. The State Government adjusted some SA as SM in primary schools of the state. Now the remaining candidates are demanding to be adjusted as SMs. The SMs are given a monthly stipend of Rs 13000 by the state government.