The Teachers’ Day celebration in the Government schools of Uttarakhand would be marred by the protest of teachers. The Rajkeeya Shikshak Sangh (RSS), the association of the lecturer and lecturer Teachers (lTs) has decided to boycott the Teacher’s day programmes while the Junior High teachers would not attend the schools on the day. The saving grace for the State Government is that the Primary teachers have decided to celebrate the Teachers’ Day. Sensing the vulnerability of the Harish Rawat Government ahead of the state assembly polls scheduled early next year, different teacher organisations have upped the ante of their demands.
The General Secretary of the RSS, Sohan Singh Majila told The Pioneer that the State Government has taken no heed to the demands of the organisation. He said that the lTs and lecturers would boycott Teachers’ day but would attend the schools. Majila added that the Vice President Raj Kumar Chaudhary and Divisional President Garhwal Ravindra Rana would initiate an indefinite hunger strike at S tate education directorate from September 06.
The RSS is demanding provision of three days earned leave, assured career progression, regular annual transfers and payment of travel allowance in accordance with the geographical condition of the State. The organisation is also demanding that the selected candidates of BRP and CRP examinations should be appointed without any further delay.
The State President of the Junior High School Shikshak Sangh (JHSS), Subhash Chauhan told The Pioneer that more than 10000 junior high school teachers would not attend the schools on the day and hold protests outside offices of Block Education Officers. He informed that the junior high school teachers would hold a Dharna at education directorate on September 22 and a march to the residence of State Chief Minister would be organised on September 23. The organisation is demanding immediate implementation of three tier cadre system in the Government schools.
The biggest organisation of teachers, the Prathemik Shikshak Sangh is also path of agitation. The District President of Dehradun, V S Krishali said, “We have decided to respect the sentiments of teachers and students on Teachers’ Day by observing the day without any protests but the primary teachers would show their strength on September 20 when a massive march to the CM residence would be held.’’
The PSS is demanding that the proposed three tier system of teacher cadre in state should not be rushed through and should be implemented after solving the issue of promotions of primary teachers. It is demanding the upgraded schools should be managed separately and the benefit of `17140 scale to the teachers appointed after 2006.