TET qualified candidates serve ultimatum on DC

FROM OUR Special Correspondent

 SILCHAR, April 6: The unemployed medium LP TET qualified candidates of Assam under SSA today brought out a procession which after starting from rsingtola ground of this town moved through the main thoroughfares, assembled before the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and from there converged near the statue of Khudiram Bose, raised slogans protesting against the policy of the state government to keep them unemployed. Though they have qualified for being appointed as teachers in the lower primary schools across Assam, they are yet to receive any appointment letter.

Aggrieved and angered at the indifferent attitude of the state, the All Assam Bengali Medium (LP) TET, 2014 Qualified Unemployed Committee had served an ultimatum on Deputy Commissioner on March 21 last, cautioning long drawn agitation as well as explore other options to vent out their grievances. It has been pointed out that out of 12335 qualified candidates in six medium, 7979 candidates are from Barak Valley in Bengali medium. Till date, only 3436 candidates have been appointed. All the rest unemployed candidates have therefore been compelled to form a committee.

These unfortute candidates have knocked the doors of the office of Chief Minister, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, MPs and MLAs, but in vain. No specific assurances have come from them to redress their genuine demand. It has been further pointed out that from last March 31 of this year, diploma in elementary education is going to be a criteria for becoming a qualified candidate. What will be the fate of those unemployed?

As of now, two or three teachers have been appointed in every lower primary school and under severe constraints, they have to take five classes in the minimum simultaneously. This is neither proper nor scientific or in the interest of lower primary education. It is common knowledge that a teacher cannot teach two subjects at the same time in two different classes. On this pattern, it is their observation that at least three classes are deprived of the guidance of teachers.

In view of the facts and circumstances, it has been submitted before the Deputy Commissioner to take necessary steps to appoint medium LP TET qualified unemployed candidates under SSA in order to bring the established one class one teacher ratio in every lower primary school. Further, SSA has been impressed upon not to take any more TET examition until all the TET qualified candidates have been absorbed.

The representation signed by Afther Uddin Mazarbhuiya, secretary, All Assam Specific Medium LP TET Qualified Unemployed Committee, and copies of which have also been sent to the Education Minister and the SSA Mission Director, Assam, has stated the job seekers come from the rural areas where employment opportunities are not available. As qualified candidates, it has been pleaded that they have been living with the hope and let them not hope against hope. After the lapse of one year of their being qualified, they are made to grove in darkness. With all pangs and sorrows of being unemployed, it is their fervent appeal that their representation will receive the attention of the higher authorities with the seriousness it deserves.