STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Sadou Asom Sanmilita Sikshak Mancha (SASSM), an umbrella body of 10 teachers’ organizations submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister citing their four charter of demands: increasing the earned leave of the teachers; filling the posts of heads of educational institutions; filling the posts of education officers; and cancelling the New Pension System (NPS).
SASSM secretary general Syed Anisur Rahman said, “Regarding our demands, we have already moved to the education department several times, but our problems were never solved. So, we have moved to the CM regarding our issues.”
“Our main demand is an increase in the earned leave of the teachers. We get 10 days of earned leave in the whole year, which should be increased to 30 days. Due to less earned leave, the teachers have been deprived of 300 days of retirement leave after serving for a long time. But other employees of the government are entitled to thirty days of annual earned leave and can easily enjoy 300 days of retirement leave at the time of retirement. We are hopeful that our earned leave will be increased and will be announced on September 5,” Rahman added.
Rahman further added, “Most of the educational institutions in the state are running without regular heads. There are no regular head teachers or assistant head teachers in high schools. The gradation list for promotion to the post of Head Teacher in 15 districts of the state was requested by the Directorate of Secondary Education from the School Inspectors on June 1, 2023, but no action has been taken regarding the promotion. More than 400 higher secondary schools in the state are run by in-charge principals. Similarly, more than 300 vice-principal posts are vacant. Primary education institutions are also running without regular school heads. So we demand to appoint regular heads in the educational institutions.”
“It is noteworthy that the posts of District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO), Block Elementary Education Officer (BEEO), School Inspector (SI), and Assistant School Inspector (ASI) have not been filled in several districts of the state. Therefore, the implementation of government educational schemes and teachers’ pensions is delayed. So we demand that all the posts of education officers be filled. Teachers and employees across the country have been demanding the cancellation of the new pension system (NPS). The demand for the restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS) is a demand for the public interest as the NPS does not benefit its employees.” Rahman added.
SASSM includes the 10 organizations which are the Assam State Primary Teachers Association (ASPTA), All Assam Government Basic Teachers Association, All Assam M.E. Teachers Association, All Assam Middle School Teachers Association, Assam High School Teachers Association, All Assam Junior College Teachers and Employees Association, All Assam Higher Secondary Teachers and Employees Association, Assam Primary TET Qualified Teacher Association, All Bodo Primary Teachers Association, Assam, and All Assam State Pool Teachers Association.
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