Government school teachers condemn NEP, seek regularisation, other benefits

Ludhiana, September 2

The Government School Teachers’ Union here has condemned the New Education Policy, demanding teachers be reinstated and that quality of services offered by schools be improved. A meeting of the teachers was held to discuss the issue, especially when the Teachers’ Day is approaching on September 5.

In a joint statement, teachers Parminderpal Singh Kalia, Tehel Singh Sarabha, and Avtar Singh Gagra, state Chairman of the Pensioners’ Union, said the education policies right from 1990-91 had been negatively affecting the teachers’ jobs, their status and services. They said the entire process of recruiting contractual staff had led to denying the teachers access to basic facilities and other benefits.

Teachers said the government began recruiting staff under the titles of Education Providers, Education Volunteers, and so on, causing harm to their community. “Instead of regularising teachers, many of them began working on contracts until they reached the age of 58, the exploitation continues,” a teacher said, adding that the Kothari Commission recommendations were blatantly disregarded, putting additional strain on the Common School System.

Teachers were being transferred to far-flung locations without their consent, and they were not being called back to their home districts or surrounding areas. The Adarsh and Meritorious Schools were understaffed; these should be filled with enough staff to ensure the students received quality education. Regularisation of computer teachers and contractual teachers was necessary,” another teacher said.

The teachers said promotions that were currently on hold should be processed as soon as possible so that new teachers get a chance to serve. “All of the allowances that were stopped should be immediately released so that teachers feel valued and can serve in the schools better,” a teacher added.