Lakhipur Focused On Post-Retirement Problems of Teachers

Special Correspondent

Silchar: Usually teachers’ associations are engaged with the problems of teachers in service. The issues of retired teachers get a passing reference. But, the recently concluded one day conference of Lakhipur sub division primary school teachers’ association attended by a large number of retired teachers at the community hall of Lakhipur focused mainly on the post retirement problems of teachers. Presided over by Joy Prakash Goala, president of the association of Lakhipur unit, and addressed by Jeeban Chandra Bora, president of All Assam Primary School Teachers’ Association, as chief guest, several burning issues cropped up and discussed. Resolutions adopted were sent to higher authorities at Dispur for settlement.

Speaking at the conclave, Jeeban Bora said after retirement, teachers are confronted with lot of harassment for settlement and payment of pension and other due benefits. Their long and dedicated services are never taken into account. They are treated like cogs in machines. Though the present government led by Sarbananda Sonowal speaks of ‘zero tolerance against corruption’ and its commitment to ‘transparency and accountability’ in governance, the ground reality is far from different.

Bureaucratic wrangling, unfair practices and the syndrome of corruption in the administrative headquarters of education department from lower to higher levels stand in the way of giving justice to retired teachers, pointed out Bora. Pension reaches teachers after lot of hammering and approaches. In fact, as he alleged movement of pension files is put on track after greasing the palms. The conference in one voice demanded hassle-free payment of pension.

Other demands that came for deliberation included separate scale of pay for head master .They are paid at par with teachers which are quite unfair. Teaching in schools is hit by shortage of teachers despite the declared policy of the state to maintain teacher-student ratio. Moreover, there is lack of infrastructure facilities. Academic atmosphere can hardly be expected to improve with deficiencies around. The post of deputy inspector of schools at Lakhipur after its upgradation as sub division years ago is yet to be filled up.

The retired teachers at the conference appreciated the novel concept of ‘Gunotsav’ in schools which, according to them, has led to appreciable improvement in teaching-learning process. This has to continue, they opine. The conclave has put on record the resentment of teachers against reposting of Maneswar Das, BEEO, at Lakhipur who was shifted from here a year ago for his alleged involvement in unfair practices. He should be removed from here, they insisted. On this occasion, 58 retired teachers were felicitated. Others who spoke on the occasion included Mihir Kanti Shome, MLA, Baharul Islam Majarbhuiya, DI of schools , Cachar, and Akbar Hussain Barbhuiya, secretary, primary school teachers’ association, Lakhipur .

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