Teachers accept regular job offer, call off year-long stir

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 10

Having fought their battle for almost a year, contractual teachers of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) have finally accepted the government’s regular job offer at Rs 15,300 per month. To persuade the teachers, the government had recently reduced the probation period from three to two years.

Terming the renewed offer a partial victory, the teachers today decided to end their protest. The Adhyapak Sangharsh Committee maintained that a majority of the teachers had already accepted the government offer and the remaining were also willing to join the department.

Sources said though the teachers’ main concern of working at reduced salary during the probation period remained unaddressed, a reduction in the probation period with retrospective effect from April 2018 was said to be the only solace for them. The teachers will now have to work at reduced salaries only for a year.

Vikram Dev, a member of the committee, said, “Most teachers are of the view that they have to work just one year with reduced pay. It was also wise to accept the offer now ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.”

Hardeep Toderpur, president, SSA/RMSA Union, said, “There were many ups and downs in the agitation. We lost hopes at several points, but the teachers fought with determination. Considering all possibilities, we took a collective decision to accept the offer.”

Meanwhile to please the teachers ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the government has tasked an eight-member high-power committee to take a call on the issue of pay protection within 90 days.