Teachers being forced to forego promotions due to dept’s policies: DTF
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, September 20, 2024: The Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) Punjab has accused the Education Department of deliberately creating hurdles for awaiting promotions by not displaying all available vacant positions during the station selection process. This, they claim, is forcing teachers to consider rejecting their promotions.
DTF Punjab State President Vikram Dev Singh, General Secretary Mahinder Kaurianwali, and Finance Secretary Ashwani Awasthi, in a detailed press statement, revealed that during the first round of station selection for lecturers in Physical Education and other subjects, only a few selected vacancies were shown at the Directorate of School Education office. This move, according to the leaders, forced teachers to accept positions up to 150-200 kilometres away from their residences, compelling many to reconsider their promotions.
Raising questions about the Punjab government's intentions, the DTF leaders asked whether the administration plans to prioritize select schools while neglecting others, or if they are discriminating against students in underdeveloped areas. They announced that the DTF would strongly oppose any attempts by the Punjab government to close down schools in backward regions, which they believe is happening under the guise of promoting certain institutions.
The leaders also criticized the government’s "School of Eminence" scheme, claiming it is part of a broader agenda to shut down smaller schools by consolidating students and teachers into fewer, larger institutions. They argued this will severely impact the access to education for many students.
Malkeet Singh Haraj, President of DTF Ferozepur, along with other representatives like Amit Kumar, Gurvinder Singh Khosa, and others, highlighted another issue: the department's lack of consideration for differently-abled teachers. Instead of offering them postings at nearby schools, they were forced to choose from the limited available options, disregarding their special needs.
DTF has demanded that the Punjab government publicly list all vacant positions across the state and conduct online station selections to reduce the hardships faced by teachers. They warned that without transparent policies, teachers would have no choice but to stay in their current positions, rendering promotions meaningless.
The Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) has clearly indicated its intent to escalate its protest. The potential next steps are - Protest Campaign: DTF may launch a protest campaign against government policies in the coming weeks or months. This could include rallies, demonstrations, and sit-ins. Dialogue Meetings: Meetings may be organized between teachers and government officials to present their demands through dialogue. Petitions: Petitions will be issued to the government at various levels to highlight their concerns. Legal Action: If the government does not take action on their demands, DTF may consider legal action by approaching the High Court or the Supreme Court. Use of Online Platforms: DTF can also run campaigns on social media to raise awareness and gather public opinion against the government’s policies.
DTF leaders emphasize that if the government does not heed their demands, they will mobilize teachers across Punjab to start a large-scale agitation.