The Prathemik Shikshak Sangh (PSS), the biggest organisation of teachers in the State is facing revolt from within its ranks as some of the teachers have formed Uttarkhand Prathemik Sikshak Sangharsh Samiti (UPSSS). These teachers had organised a two-day sit in at the protest site near Parade Ground in support of their various demands on Sunday and Monday. The UPSSS members alleged that they are forced to agitate as the PSS is not paying any heed to the genuine demands of the teachers. Cracking whip the PSS terminated the membership of some of the teachers who are spearheading the UPSSS. The president of the UPSSS, Anup Jadali and Patron Anil Kotnala were among those who are removed from the primary membership of the organisation.
When contacted the State General Secretary of the PSS, Digvijay Singh Chauhan told The Pioneer that the organisation would not tolerate indiscipline. He said that organisers of the UPSSS did not consult their 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 on certain procedures.
The UPSSS leaders are however complaining that the PSS leadership was informed about their plans for the agitation but it did cared. The President of UPSSS, Anup Jadali said that the UPSSS is not any association but is a forum of teachers. He said that this forum would continue to fight for the justified demands of the primary teachers.