Teachers taking up jobs fear backlash

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 15

The teachers recruited under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), who have accepted government offer of regular jobs at a fixed salary of Rs 15,300 per month, are in a dilemma. They fear that their fellow teachers, who are on war path against the low salary, might target them.

More than 24 teachers of nearly 800, who got the appointment letters, have expressed their readiness to join duty. A majority of them say they have weighed their options and decided to get regular jobs at low salary. “We know we will be drawing much lesser amount than our current salary of nearly Rs 42,000 per month, but the decision will benefit us in the long term,” said a teacher.

On the other hand, Davinder Punia, state convener Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha, said: “It is the result of arm-twisting by the government. Forcing teachers to accept one-third of their current salary amounts to exploitation. We will not succumb to any pressure.”

A science teacher based in Malwa said: “I had joined more than six years ago. We do not get any promotion or increment.” Another teacher said: “I have already been targeted on social media after I have accepted the government offer. It is my decision and I don’t want to discuss the matter.”

A teacher from Jalandhar said: “I faced difficulty in getting loan for the education of my son. The bank officials said you don’t have requisite employment papers.”

A science teacher said: “We have come to know that the Centre was in the process of withdrawing its share of grant for the SSA and the RMSA. What will be our future when there will be no funds for the programme.”

A 37-year-old mathematics teacher said: “I am looking for a secure future, although it will be very difficult to work on low salary for three years. I have yet to take a final decision.”

SAD to meet Guv today

Chandigarh: A delegation of the SAD, led by party president Sukhbir Badal, will meet Governor VP Singh Badnore on Tuesday. In a statement, party spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said the delegation would apprise the Governor of issues like the strike by teachers, denial of scholarship to SC students, UT’s discrimination with Punjabi language, reduction in fuel prices and deterioration of law and order in the state. TNS