Teachers of Government aided minority schools as a part of state-wide agitation boycotted the Teacher's Day celebration in their schools and performed their duties wearing black badges.
In the East Singhbhum district, over 900 teachers from 68 minority schools in the district did not celebrate the Teacher's Day.
Under the banner of Jharkhand Alpsankhyak Prathamik evam Madhyamik Shikshak Samanvay Samity the teachers claimed that they have had not received their salaries for the past seven months which forced them to agitate today peacefully in schools. Teachers also submitted a five point memorandum to the deputy commissioner.
"It is really a matter of great concern. We are compelled to live life in penury and the government is also aware of this. The state government has said that a physical investigation of the high schools run by minority institutions will be conducted and teachers will only receive their salaries thereafter," said a senior functionary of Jharkhand Alpsankhyak Prathamik evam Madhyamik Shikshak Samanvay Samity.
The teachers in their memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner have demanded salary fixation as per the seventh pay commission, they have also demanded contributory pension scheme introduced in 2004 which is so far not applicable to teachers of minority schools.
The Jharkhand Alpsankhyak Prathamik evam Madhyamik Shikshak Samanvay Samity members said that they have given a ultimatum till September 18. If the government doesn't take any steps, they will meet the HRD minister Neera Yadav in Ranchi on September 19 and plan a state wide agitation thereafter.