Protesting teachers get another chance to apply for regular job

CHANDIGARH: The Education Department has given the agitating Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers another chance to apply for regularisation of service on a salary of Rs 15,300 till November 18.

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 16

The Education Department has given the agitating Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers another chance to apply for regularisation of service on a salary of Rs 15,300 till November 18.

In the new message, the department has asked the teachers to apply online till Sunday and collect their appointment letters on Monday. The teachers have been told that their services will be regularised after three years (with effect from April).

The state government has not released any official figure on the number of teachers who have accepted the state government offer of regularisation of service. A total of 8,886 teachers are eligible for regularisation of service.

The department had claimed last Sunday that at least 31 per cent of the total teachers had accepted the government offer. Special camps were organised this week for the purpose, where a rush of teachers could be seen. At the same time, the teacher unions, protesting the government regularisation drive, said the “government figures are bogus”.

The latest message by the Education Department said, “Teachers who have accepted the new conditions of the department are not being allowed to join their services at certain places by unscrupulous elements.” It has questioned the role of certain “misguided” school management committees and asked the District Education Officers (DEOs) to initiate corrective action.

The convener of the Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha, Davinder Punia, said “The government is applying all its force in goading teachers to join the Education Department under new conditions.”

President of the SSA-RMSA Union Didar Singh Mudki said “We are fighting for teachers’ dignity. How can a teacher drawing more than Rs 42,000 salary after having worked for seven-eight years be forced to accept salary of Rs 15,300? The department officials, including DEOs, are pressuring teachers into accepting the offer. We will fight for justice till the end.”

A senior officer said, “We are not pressuring anyone. Those who are satisfied with getting the current salary of Rs 42,000 from the society can continue working with it.”