Primary teachers’ assn protests new cluster system in Mandi

Hundreds of primary teachers from across the district staged a massive protest here today against the newly implemented cluster system and other pending demands. The demonstration was led by Babu Ram Kaundal, district president of the Government Primary Teachers’ Association.

Teachers from all 25 educational blocks of the district gathered at the ground adjoining the office of the Deputy Director of Elementary Education before marching towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Raising slogans, they demanded the immediate rollback of the new cluster system and resolution of long-standing issues concerning primary teachers.

Addressing the gathering, Babu Ram Kaundal alleged that the implementation of the new cluster system had disrupted the structure of primary education and imposed unnecessary administrative burdens on teachers. He stated that the association had repeatedly raised teachers’ concerns before the government, but their demands had been consistently ignored.

Issuing a stern warning, Kaundal said that if the government failed to fulfil the teachers’ demands and did not invite the association for talks within a week, primary teachers would be compelled to intensify their agitation. “The entire responsibility for any escalation of the movement will lie with the government and the Education Department,” he asserted. He further alleged that certain officials were misleading the Chief Minister, resulting in the continued neglect of teachers’ issues.

Objections to September notification

Kaundal explained that the Education Department had issued a notification on September 23, 2025, regarding the new campus (cluster) system. Earlier, on November 20, 2023, a notification had been issued for the formation of new clusters, which was opposed by the Primary Teachers’ Association at that time. Following the protest, the department released a revised notification on February 13, 2024, safeguarding the interests of primary teachers and limiting the cluster system to resource sharing.

However, under the September 23, 2025, notification, full administrative control and operational authority over primary education were reportedly handed over to school principals. The association claims this move undermines the autonomy and interests of primary teachers.

Kaundal stated that under the new directives, the administrative powers and functional roles of Head Teachers, Central Head Teachers, and Block Elementary Education Officers—positions to which primary teachers are promoted—would be significantly curtailed, potentially rendering these posts irrelevant in the future.

He also pointed out contradictions in the new guidelines, alleging that primary teachers are being placed under dual administrative control, which could adversely affect the functioning of primary education in the long run.

“If the notification is not withdrawn immediately, the association will be forced to launch a statewide agitation,” he warned.

Among those present at the protest were State Co-Secretary Deep Verma, former State President Hemraj Thakur, District General Secretary Atul Lakhanpal, members of the district executive body, Balveer Thakur (President, Drang-1), Kapil Rao (President, Chauntra-1), and representatives from all blocks.