‘Sikhiya Kranti’ initiative continues as ministers, MLAs inaugurate new infrastructure in dist

The Punjab government’s Sikhiya Kranti initiative continued as more government schools in the district received cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior AAP leaders to inaugurate the development works. Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, while inaugurating development works in 10 schools of Jandiala constituency, executed at an estimated cost of more than Rs 2.38 crore, said that 168 schools in Jandiala Guru constituency will be renovated under the initiative.

Several schools in the district received grants to repair/construct boundary walls around schools, appoint security guards, construct new classrooms, clean toilets for students, playgrounds, clean drinking water and infrastructure upgrade. Schools in Ghumanpura, Wadali, Rajasansi, Baba Bakala, Wadala, Sohian Kalan and Bhangali in Majitha and the School of Eminence, Mall Road, also inaugurated new infrastructure.

No ‘Sikhiya Kranti’ without teachers: DTF

The district unit of Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) on Friday handed over a demand letter to the District Education Officer about resolving several issues hampering the teachers’ recruitment process in state. The letter states that several cadres of teachers including 3704 Master, 4161 Master Cadre and 6635 ETT teachers have been facing hurdles due to which many cannot join their postings in schools.

DTF state finance secretary-cum-district president, Ashwini Awasthi, said that jobs and future prospects of hundreds of teachers of various cadres, who were excluded from the joining list due to recasting of appointment lists should be secured. “These teachers have been subjected to discriminatory selection policies. At a time, when the state government and all its machinery is busy promoting Sikhiya Kranti, one needs to notice that there is an acute shortage of teachers in all government schools. By further halting or hampering teacher recruitment process, what kind of Kranti can we achieve in education,” said Awasthi. They also raised the issue of revision and cutting down the salaries of PTI and art and craft teachers.

“Computer teachers, meritorious school teachers, associate teachers, contractual teachers and non-teaching staff under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan should be regularised in the education department. Teachers who have received appointment letters of 5994 ETT should be made present in schools. 44% posts of principals and 50% posts of school heads in the state are lying vacant. These need attention as well,” said Awasthi.