SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Feb 22: Teachers and educationists of a total of 1250 unaided Sanskrit schools, high schools, Madarsa and inter colleges operating in the state will be on an academic strike on February 23 after the announcement by the Jharkhand Rajya Vitrahit Sangharsh Morcha for several demands. All academic activities including studies, official work in these educational institutions will be stalled on this occasion.
It has been decided that the movement will be organized in a phased manner. The teachers plan to organize a sit-in demonstration at the entrance of educational institutions. According to further decisions taken in the meeting of the Morcha, a memorandum will be handed over to the Governor, Chief Minister, Education Minister and Secretary on February 24. On February 25, 10 thousand teacher-workers will work with black badges on their arms.
The major demands of the Morcha include that all aided Inter Colleges, Sanskrit Schools, Madrasa and High Schools be acquired, Sanskrit and Madrasa schools be given double the amount of the grant in 2021-22, Intermediate Teacher Employees Service Condition Manual be sent for consent from the Council of Ministers, JAC Board to be reconstituted, and the director of secondary education be appointed immediately.
Morcha leaders Raghunath Singh, Surendra Jha, Harihar Prasad Kushwaha and Fazlul Qadir Ahmed say that the state government is adopting double standards with unfinanced institutions. The problem of para teachers was after the separation of the state, whereas the issue of unfinanced institutions has been prevalent since the time of unified Bihar.
They further said that almost 25 to 30 years have passed but the problems are yet to be solved. Meanwhile, more than 500 teachers have died, while others are unable to educate their children. Thousands of teachers have had to retire without pay. During Covid, many teachers could not get treatment due to lack of money and passed away. It has been 25 years since these teachers have been fighting for their salary but the state government only has assurances for them.
Notably, the state government has given grants to 170 Inter Colleges, 290 High Schools, 33 Sanskrit Schools and 45 Madrasa Schools since 2006-07. The grant is given on the basis of number of students and examination results. Meanwhile, due to inflation government employees are getting the benefit of the 7th pay scale. Since 2015, it has been six years since the rules were made to get twice the amount of the grant. Sanskrit schools and Madrasas have not received the said double grant till now.
Meanwhile, during Covid and lockdowns, the schools and colleges were closed for two years and the amount of grant was not enough. Another issue is that the government does not release grants on time. In the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20, the amount of grant lapsed. During Covid, government teachers received their salary, but teachers of the unfinanced institutions had hopes only because of grants.
The leaders further said that the grant for the financial year 2021-22 has not been released yet. The grant amount for the financial year 2021-22 was approved in the month of March itself, and it has almost been a year since the amount of grant was approved to be sent to the schools and colleges. The government had assured them that the grant would be sent to the institutions in the month of January, however, so far the grant has been released.
The post of Director (Secondary Education) has been vacant for one and a half months since January 1. The Director is usually the member secretary of the Secondary Education Grants Committee. Due to the absence of the member secretary, the grant meeting is not being held. As a result, the grant is yet to be released.
The Morcha has decided to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court regarding the appointment of the director. The representatives of the Morcha have met the Education Secretary and the Education Minister several times but no action has been taken. The Morcha believes it is high time that their demands be fulfilled.
