The month-long agitation of para-teachers over the issue of job regularisation and ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work’ on the lines of regular teachers will intensify from December 24 – with the beginning of Winter Session of the State Assembly. Despite getting rounds of warnings and actions from the State government, the para-teachers are still adamant on their demands.
The teachers being led by different umbrella organisations at the five commissionaires have yet again come together and have gained the support of para-teachers who were apparently said to have rejoined their duties at their respective districts, a few days back.
Also, the protest that has gained much political mileage in the recent days in the wake of five deaths has provoked the para-teachers to continue their demonstration. The leaders of opposition parties had held the ruling government responsible for the misery of para-teachers. Be it Indian National Congress (INC), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) including a few other regional parties, all have demanded interference of the Central government in para-teachers’ issue.
“The statements of the government officials in the recent days are mere eyewash. Hence, the protest will yet again begin from December 24. All para-teachers of five commissionaires will join the protest. We are ready to face the consequences of this protest yet again. As per the plan, the agitating para-teachers will sit outside the residence of MLAs. Indefinite hunger strike, ‘Ghera Daalo Dhera Daalo’ abhiyaan will be organised with the beginning of winter session,” said, a representative of Jharkhand para teachers association, Bajrang Prasad.
Prasad clarified that the figures released by the government officials regarding the duty joining of JTET para teachers’ is unauthentic. “The data presented by the district administrations to the Department of School Education and Literacy are those where either the para-teachers were forced to join the duties under pressure or are those where the officials have easily brainwashed the para-teachers. The figures are false,” Prasad added.
Similarly, a member of Ekikrit Para Sikshak Sangharsh Morcha (EPSSM) echoed a similar view and has threatened to join the agitation with their counterparts. “The government is not ready for any dialogue over the para-teachers’ issue. Due to the State government’s apathy, the para-teachers are reluctant to lead a miserable life. All supporting groups of para-teachers operating at different districts are united,” said EPSSM state member Vinod Tiwari.
In Ranchi district alone, show-cause notices have been sent to 3,266 para-teachers lending their services in 18 blocks of the State Capital. As per the senior district administrative official, out of 3,266 para-teachers, 407 had joined the duty as per the ultimatum.
The para-teachers had launched ‘Ghera Daalo, Dhera Daalo’ programme at residences of BJP ministers, parliamentarians and legislators to push for their demand from November 25. Notably, around 67,000 para-teachers across the State are on an indefinite strike since mid-October forcing over more than 12,000 to 14,000 government schools to shut.
Para-teachers have been demanding the regularisation of their services after the para – teachers in Chhattisgarh, Bihar and other States though have been appointed under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan (SSA) but after serving for eight years have been regularised as assistant teachers there.