Four more primary teachers suspended

The standoff between the government and the Primary Teachers Federation (PTF) deepened further after four more teachers were suspended today. The suspended teachers had been directed to not leave their headquarters without obtaining prior permission of the head of the institution till the order of their suspension remains in force. The government had suspended four teachers a couple of days ago.

The government and the Education Department hardened their stand against the primary teachers when they went ahead with their protest in Shimla on April 26. The PTF is annoyed with the government’s decision to form one directorate for the entire school education, unlike before when there was a separate directorate of elementary education.

The PTF members are now sitting on a chain fast outside the Education Directorate. The four teachers were suspended for “making efforts to abet the strike by spreading message of boycotting online work, which amounts to gross misconduct of duties and deliberate disobedience…”.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Rohit Thakur urged the protesting teachers to end their protest and bring their matter to him so that their genuine issues could be resolved. “A good environment for education is building up in the state. Teachers should end their protest so that students do not suffer,” he added. The protesting teachers should avoid making personal remarks, he advised them.