Swami Atmanand contract teachers demand fair pay scales
Atmanand schools hit by staff strike
Ambikapur | Correspondent: Teachers of Swami Atmanand English- and Hindi-medium Schools have staged a massive two-day protest, disrupting school operations. The protest has been launched under the aegis of the Chhattisgarh Swami Atmanand Contractual Teachers and Employees Union.
Approximately 1,000 teachers and staff members from the Sarguja division alone have arrived to participate in this protest at the Tuta demonstration site in Raipur, severely affecting teaching activities in nearly 40 schools across the division.
Images from the Tuta protest site clearly reflect the teachers' plight; they are holding their infants in their arms while standing firm in the protest tents. Placards reading "Please Save My Future" held by innocent children tell the story of the uncertainty facing their families. Meanwhile, the entire venue is echoing with slogans such as "Respect Teachers" and "Grant Fair Pay Scales."
Five key demands have been raised during this movement, led by the Union's State President, Duryodhan Yadav. The employees' primary and most significant demand is the abolition of the committee system headed by the District Collector, seeking instead the direct merger of the schools and their staff into the Education Department.
Additionally, demands are being raised to implement contractual service rules similar to those in Madhya Pradesh, to grant annual salary increments as per regulations (including for personnel appointed via the DMF), and to restore the status of 'Teacher-Librarian' (Level-8) to librarians.
Demands regarding job security and safety include regular PF deductions, a clear service security policy, and a life insurance cover of ₹50 lakh in the event of any accident.
It is noteworthy that in the Sarguja district alone, 20 such schools are operating where the entire administrative and academic system relies on these contractual employees. Association office-bearers state that they have been serving with utmost dedication for the past five years, yet there has not been even a one percent increase in their honorarium during this period. Managing a household on a limited income amidst back-breaking inflation has become extremely difficult, compelling them to take to the streets in protest.
