DTF protests revoking of promotions of master cadre teachers by Education Department

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 11

The master cadre teachers who belong to the category of left-out cases that were invited to apply for promotions, have been left disappointed after the Education Department revoked promotions of 688 teachers to lecturers due to major flaws in the screening process. The master cadre teachers, about 50 from Amritsar, have called the entire exercise as an injustice, and blamed the three-member committee initially formed by the department for screening and approving promotions, as responsible for the fiasco.

“Initially, the department had invited only left-out cases for promotions, master cadre teachers who had been waiting for more than three to six years for the due promotion. My promotion was due since 2022, but this opportunity was for us to ensure that we get our due. The three-member committee which oversaw the process of promotions did not take the responsibility for lapses that led to ineligible candidates being included in the list of promotions. Out of the 688 cases, 250-300 were of eligible candidates. Now, everyone has to suffer because they did not do their job right,” said Iqbal Singh, a master cadre teacher of Punjabi, from Government High School, Sultanwind.

Iqbal Singh said that he has been waiting for a promotion, despite being eligible for it, for the last two and a half years. “Earlier, only left-out cases were being considered, now everyone, from senior to junior, will be considered for promotions, which is a gross injustice to those who have been waiting,” he said. Another teacher of Political Science from a local government school, who was on the cancelled list, said on the condition of anonymity, “There are a large number of teachers whose promotions were supposed to take place 10 to 15 years ago, but due to lax system of functioning in the department, these promotions have not been possible yet. Many teachers have retired waiting for their promotions.”

Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) Punjab president Vikram Dev Singh said that the government took a positive step to invite cases for promotions that were left out. But it failed to ensure that the process was transparent, thereby affecting eligible, serious cases. “Even after the passage of almost a month, the master cadre teachers, whose cases were genuine, have not been reconsidered and there is frustration among these teachers. The department should dispose of cases on a priority basis, teachers who deserve promotion should be promoted first,” he said.