Assam: Teachers fazed by directives to organize events, say ‘let us teach’
At a time when the school education department is mulling a complete overhaul of the school education system in the state through amalgamation
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: At a time when the school education department is mulling a complete overhaul of the school education system in the state through amalgamation, teacher-post rationalization and other measures, another set of directives on celebrations and events has left the teachers in a quandary.
The school education in the state, from the primary to the secondary level, is set to witness major changes, with the education department cracking the whip on schools with fewer students and schools with fewer teachers. Data from the Shiksha Setu portal was accessed to arrive at figures for schools with fewer students, with an aim to amalgamate or merge the schools, while teacher-post rationalization is being planned to streamline the posting of teachers.
However, the education department has lately issued a series of notices directing school teachers to participate in and organize a flurry of activities relating to events and celebrations, even on Sundays and other holidays. This has led to a large number of teachers expressing consternation and encouraging them to organize a 'let us teach' campaign on social media.
Kulajit Thakuria, general secretary of Sadou Asom Prathamik TET Uttirno Sikshak Samaj (SAPTUSS), has taken to social media to say that teachers have been kept busy preparing for the events and festivals at the cost of imparting education. They have pointed out that they were kept engaged even on Sundays and holidays, making preparations or writing reports on the celebration of festivals and events. He complained that the constant organizing of such events, one on top of the other, is taking a toll on their primary job of teaching the students.
It was also pointed out that, within a time period of one month and ten days, they were asked to organize events like National Sports Day from August 21 to 29, Veer Gatha activities by August 30, Kala Utsav by August 28, Online application in PM Shri by September 5, Amrit Briksha registration within August 25, Chandrayaan 3 soft landing on August 23, Swachhata Pakhwada observation from September 1 to 15, Ek Bharat Sresta Bharat activities on September 29, Khel Maharan registration by September 25, Swachhata Hi Sewa from September 13 to October 2 and many others.
On Sunday, the schools were directed to observe Ek Taarikh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath, an initiative announced by PM Modi for Shramdaan for Swachhata (cleanliness) on October 1, asking people to carry out a cleanliness drive in public places for one hour starting at 10 AM. The mega cleanliness drive is part of the Swachhata Pakhwada-Swachhata Hi Seva 2023, being observed from September 15 until October 2. People were asked to participate in the cleanliness drive as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, whose birthday on October 2 is observed as World Non-Violence Day.
This time, all schools have been directed to remain open on Gandhi Jayanti, to make the new generation aware of the teachings and activities of Gandhiji. Teachers across the state were busy sprucing up their schools on Sunday in preparation of organizing no less than five events on Monday notified by the education department, including the celebration of World Non-Violence Day.
Finding no way out of their predicament, the teachers are now saying on social media, 'let us teach'.
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