Parvesh Sharma
Sangrur, August 1
Residents of Lehal Khurd village have locked the gate of local Government Primary School to protest the acute shortage of teachers.
Have got assurance from higher-UPS
For four posts of teacher, we have only two and against two of EGS volunteer, we have one. I joined on Monday after a medical leave. Officers have assured to look into the matter. Parkash Kaur, head teacher, government primary school
Reportedly, the school has just two teachers for 200 students. The villagers also announced that they would not open the school till the required number of teachers were transferred here.
They have deputed some educated youngsters of the village to teach the students at a local gurdwara.
“There are only two regular ETT teachers for 200 students while the head teacher, who was on a medical leave, joined today. We won’t open the school till the shortage is met,” said Jagdeep Singh, BKU Ugrahan leader.
The villagers also raised slogans against the Punjab Government and the Education Department. The school should have four teachers, a head teacher and two Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) volunteers. But currently, there are only two teachers, an EGS volunteer while the head teacher has been on a medical leave.
“We have repeatedly called the authorities and even tried meeting the senior officers, but no one is willing to listen to our problem. We will intensify our agitation,” said Gurmale Singh, another villager and father of a student.
Meanwhile, some higher officers, including Deputy District Education Officer, visited the school today to pacify the villagers, but they refused to relent. The officers gave assurances, but the villagers are unwilling to listen before the transfer of the teachers to the school.
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