SILCHAR, Jan 7: Primary school teachers across Cachar along with their counterparts of the State have renewed their agitation on 29 point charter of demands including the creation of posts of headmasters and exclusive pay structure. In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister of Assam through the Deputy Inspector of Schools of Silchar subdivision today, it has been pointed out though the Government of Assam has from time to time assured the Primary School Teachers’ Association of its resolve to fulfil their demands, nothing has been done so far.
The memorandum recalls their meetings with the Education Minister, Commissioner and Secretary of Education on April 12, 2010 which gave them the impression that the post of headmaster would become effective along with necessary allowances. The Chief Minister himself did admit through the media the justifiability of their demands. Even after nine months of such assurances, the association could not but feel aggrieved.
The Education Minister made a statement in the Assembly in answer to a specific question of Keshav Mahanta to the effect that necessary steps had been taken for the creation of the post of headmaster and that the matter would be placed before the Cabinet. The memorandum referred to their series of agitations on the issue at Dispur and at the sub divisional-level. Sachhitananda Nath, president, and Alok Paul, general secretary of the association, reminded that in order to reinforce their demands, the teachers from different parts of the State staged a sit-in at the Dispur Last Gate on December 24. The teachers stayed away from taking classes on the day. According to the fresh agitation plan, all the teachers put on black badges from January 1 for a week and today they demonstrated in front of the office of the Deputy Inspector of Schools. (Sentinelassam)