Body blames Gutsav officials' pressure tactic

Suicide by teachers on the rise, probe demanded

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 4: Is the pressure tactics being followed in Assam so as to make students meet the standards set for them under Gutsav traumatizing for teachers?  It looks so if the memorandum sent to State Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal by primary teachers seeking an inquiry has anything to go by.

The Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association (ASPTA) sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal and told him that a section of officials deviated from the very purpose of Gutsav. The memorandum signed by ASPTA president Jibon Chandra Bira and secretary general Ratul Chandra Goswami said: “A section of officials deviated from the main purpose of Gutsav and resorted to put pressure on teachers, leading to a sharp rise in the number of teachers committing suicide in the State. On September 24, 2017 the Headmaster of Malara LP School under Korora Education Block in Kamarup district, Arun Chandra th and on September 27, 2017 the headmaster of No. 959 Mathurapaur Krishipam LP School under Kheluwa Education Block in Charaideo district, Bhaba Kanta Baruah, committed suicide. The family members of the two headmasters say that they committed suicide following pressures being put on them by education officers and centre resource coorditors under Gutsav. Allegations we’ve received say that a reign of terror is prevailing in the education sector in the State under Gutsav. There were cases that made teachers to cough up around Rs 40,000/50,000 from their pockets. We want the men working behind to derail Gutsav from serving its very purpose be identified, and to make that happen we demand a high-level inquiry into the entire episode.”