After a meeting on Sunday, Brajjan Chetia, general secretary of the Assam Secondary Teachers’ Employees’ Association, stated that according to the National Education Policy, teachers should not be engaged in any non-academic work other than census and election work. Despite this, teachers in the state are being forced into various non-academic activities, impacting their primary role: teaching. He added that the issue has already been brought to the attention of the state’s education minister.
Schools without Principals and a Weak Education System
Chetia explained that many schools in the state lack permanent principals. Many schools operate under inspectors or temporary in-charges. He stated that when teachers are entangled in administrative or other non-academic tasks instead of teaching, the education system will never be able to develop as intended. He also stated that in ancient times, teachers had the freedom to manage the education system, but in today’s era, they are tied down to unnecessary tasks.
Sharp Questions on Government Policies
Brajan Chetia, calling some of the Education Department’s orders and notifications dictatorial, said the government should focus on solving pending problems in the education sector, rather than wasting time by engaging teachers in useless activities. He said that the appointment of new teachers is a good initiative, but if teachers are not allowed to work independently, no real progress will be made in the education sector.
Vocational Teachers and Salary Issues
Chetia also questioned the recruitment process for vocational teachers. He explained that these teachers are working under six different companies, and each company has different rules, causing them numerous difficulties. They are often denied leave even in emergencies and face pay cuts. Furthermore, the grade pay of teachers with fixed salaries appointed in 2001 has not yet been increased. Contract teachers appointed in 2010 were regularized, but their seniority was reduced by 15 years.
Demand for Old Pension Scheme and Dignity of Teachers
The organization also demanded that the government negotiate with the central government and restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Chetia stated that teachers from schools provincialized in 2013 will retire in three to four years and will suffer significant losses due to the new pension system. He said that teachers are the backbone of society and if their dignity is violated, the education system will never be strengthened. More than 100 teacher representatives from across the state attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by the organization’s president, Hemanta Saikia, and began with a tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Zubin Garg.
