Himachal PTA Teachers Agitate About Job Security

24july-Protest1

Shimla: After lying low for months, PTA teachers were again an agitated lot and held a large demonstration outside the civil secretariat, today, demanding a stable policy for securing the future of the grant-in-aid supported appointments made by the previous government.

Vivek Mehta, president PTA teachers, led a delegation after holding the protest demonstration and met chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal in office to present a charter of demands.

Mehta said that the chief minister assured them that their issues would be looked into. “In a week, we will take a call about further action on the agitation after the government makes it stand clear on the demand charter presented today, he said.

About the set of demands, he said “we have asked for modification to termination orders served on about 150 PTA teachers after the government has replaced their positions by appointing regular teachers in place,” he said. This has happened even after an chief minister’s assurance to the contrary, in response to an earlier agitation, he added.

Another demand pertained to resolving the issue of having sacked 977 PTA teachers earlier, after a government inquiry had found the appointments not in conformity with the norms.

Mehta claimed that the PTA teachers had not received any salary for 4 months as no grant-in-aid was released by the government. “We have asked the government to make provisions so that PTA teachers get their salary on a monthly basis,” he said.

“But primarily we have asked the government to have a stable policy for teachers recruited under PTA for ensuring us a secure future,” said Mehta.

The issue has been contentious ever since the previous Virbhadra Singh led congress government to fill up vacancies, mainly in rural schools, had filled up about 15,000 posts through Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) of the schools which were short on staff.

Then in opposition, BJP had cried foul, terming them as backdoor recruitments and on assuming power in December 2007 had threatened to sack them en masse.

A one man committee was set up to go into the legality of the issue, complaints about nepotism and other irregularities were invited, to which over 3000 complaints were received and 977 candidates were indicted and sacked.

A long drawn out agitation was called off only after assurances from the government that their services would remain till the vacancies are filled.

The matter was also dragged to court, who asked for framing of a policy for such appointments.

(Photo by: Amit Kanwar)

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13 Comments

  1. says: VIVEK MOHAN.

    This news has been going on for ” quiet ” some time…i wonder if it is “PiTAi” karne waale jinki kabhi-kabhi ” PiTAi ” ho jaati hai unko kaise “PaTAya ” jaaye ?! Kisi koh “PaTA” hai toh batao!

  2. says: Rajnish Sharma

    I is the matter of same for any Govt. who ustilizes the services of the people as per thire requirement and kicked off them whenever they want. This is not a sign of democracy. This is the first time after approximately 5 years the HP govt. has opened the commission test and during that period they utilizes the young people servies. And when PTA teachers ages touches 30age now they are firing them.In such a way that they were faulty why did they join PTA. Education minister should look into the issue seriously . He should not consider it as a political issue rather he should look for the PTA future. The way Govt . is treating the PTA it seems PTA teachers has commited a big crime by joining PTA and by serving the Govt. schools responsible positions. If the current govt. was against the PTA than why don’t they aggitate against that Govt. at that time. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE DRAGED TO THE COURT AND EVEN TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS.

  3. says: Rajnish Sharma

    Whenever you feel someone is exploiting you and misutilizing you Media is the only way to let other people know of your problem. PTA teachers should understand the power of media. Get toghether utilize the media. PTA has not done any crime you have been just utilized. and kicked off. So before someone kick you off. why don’t you stands for your rights.

  4. says: Ansari

    Its very painful to say that we have’nt find any maternal leave for PTA teacher.Whatever the doctor has advised for teacher to maternal leave.But the school Principal has refuses it and now try to recrute a new teacher there.Is it a good justice with that teacher who serve there valuable five year.Is some body here to send me the PTA president cell no or e mail id .I wanted to aware them regarding the issue…………my no is 9418144878

  5. says: Poonam

    A request for over Chief minister came here and live one day of any pta teacher.who dont have another option to do this job beacuse they already wasted there 5 years.they have there big familiy to care with their empty pockets and no job safty.

    1. says: SURINDER FROM UNA

      Yes, i agrry with you Madam Poonam ji it is fact that all PTA TEACHERS have to waste their time from 5 yrs but for this suffering our govts. are responsible may be it is Cong. or BJP because the unstable policy provide by said govt. at that time.At that time we were not employer and we feei the need of employment and then a/c to situation what we done it was our need.

  6. says: hemant

    PTA TEACHER SHOULD BE OUT OF JOB.BECOZ THERE R THOUSANDS OF HIGHLY WELL EDUCATED PEOPLE IN H.P WHO R WITHOUT JOB.IF PTA HAVING THE SKILL SO GO ND FIGHT FOR ANY TEST.GIVE JOB TO DESERVE WHO CAN FIGHT FOR TEST .

  7. says: hemant

    I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY GOVT.TAKING TOO MUCHC TME//ITS REALY SHAME FULL 4 ALL EDUCATED PEOPLE ND GOVT .THAT EVEN TODAY PEOPLE LIKE PTA , R GETTING JOB WITHOUT ANY TEST.I AM WORKING IN A PVT CO.BUT I FEEL PAIN ND PITY FOR THOSE WHO R EDUCATED ND PREPARING FOR TEST//NOT FOR PTA //

    1. says: SURINDER

      DEAR , IT IS FACT BUT THE CANDIDATE WHO APPOINTED IN SAME PROCESS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT BECAUSE HE WAS ALSO UNEMPLOYED AS YOU , FOR THESE POLICIES OUR GOVT OF THAT TIME IS RESPONSIBLE NOT THAT CANDIDATES. OK………………………..

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