The Shiksha Acharyas and Anudeshak Federation, which is agitating to get them adjusted as Shiksha Mitras (SM) has threatened that their peaceful protest can turn violent if the Government Order (GO) for their adjustment as SM is not released soon. The members of federation are sitting on an indefinite dharna at Old Raipur bus stand near Parade ground form June 3, 2012.
The president of Federation DS Bisht told The Pioneer the patience of the agitating Shiksha Acharyas (SA) is fast waning as they are sitting on the dharna from last 716 days in support of their single point agenda of inclusion into SMs. He said that 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) for the same. Bisht said that the State Government would be solely responsible if the hitherto peaceful agitation takes a violent turn as the members of the federation are frustrated by the long battle.
These SA were employed to bring out of the school children in fold of elementary education under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). For children like those living in streets some Alternative and Innovative Education (AIE) centers were also opened under SSA and Anudeshaks were posted in them. The Government employed 2,883 SA and Anudeshaks till 2008 under SSA and were given a paltry wage of `2500 only. The government decided to shut the AIE centers in a phased manner from the year 2008 and by March 31 2012 all such centers were closed. The State Government later adjusted some S A as SM in primary schools of the state. Now the remaining candidates are demanding to be adjusted as SM. The Shiksha Mitras are given a monthly stipend of `13000 by the State Government.