Heaps of sludge, defunct lighting arrangement, reeking Sulabh Sauchalaya and stacks of garbage spread over Jaipal Singh Stadium is the shelter for para teachers from across the State since October 20 in the absence of basic amenities.
District Administration has claimed that effort is being made to settle the issue and soon a discussion is planned with all concerned department officials to clear this matter at earliest. “This is just a temporary makeshift arrangement for these people to maintain the law and order. We are on toes to check out all essential facilities there,” said Ranchi DC, Manoj Kumar.
In wake of their long struggle and series of protest in the recent past, the State Government is yet to accept their demands and depute them as permanent teaching staffs at Government schools in State. Both the Government and agitators are not ready to give up hence the tussle continues, leaving women and children at the stadium in complete mess and trench.
Karishma Mundu (35) who has almost spend 10 years at Government Middle School, Khunti is all geared up to fight with the existing system regardless of the fact that she might lose her job if the department takes stringent action against all the agitating teachers.
“Cooking and washing clothes in open, feeding kids and defecating in open has become our fate. People often curse us saying that we are spoiling the lives of all kids studying in Government schools across State. We are not responsible for this it is only the Government who in spite of giving us in writing for 25 per cent salary hike in August 2015 had yet not fulfilled it. Peaceful protest is our right and will continue until our demands are fulfilled,” said Mundu while cleaning the place with other protesters.
Approximately 1,000 para teachers had congregated at the stadium. “At present, we have to pay the double charge for using public toilet near the stadium. A mobile toilet was on spot just for a day and that too without water facility. Proper drinking water on spot is a distant dream here and most of us are spending heavy amount on packaged food stuffs,” added Mamta Sahi who at present lend her service at Ramgarh district and is here with her children to support the movement.
Some even opined that some protesters were even hospitalized few days back as most of them are spending days and nights in open. Though protesters are getting political support from various MlAs, MPs including few social activists, the State Government is yet to act on the matter leaving approximately 40,000 government school students’ future at stake.
According to the Department of School Education and literacy all the protesters have to resume their post in their respective districts on or before November 22. Failing to which all the protesting para teachers will be terminated from their job immediately. The department has already floated the applications for fresh recruitments at district level.