Hundreds of employees from government-aided schools across Jalandhar have taken to the streets in protest after enduring seven agonizing months without receiving their salaries. The financial crisis has pushed these dedicated education workers to the brink, forcing them to demonstrate outside the Deputy Commissioner's office.
The Growing Anger Among School Staff
The protest movement has gained significant momentum as teaching and non-teaching staff from various aided institutions joined forces. These employees, who have faithfully served their educational institutions, now find themselves struggling to meet basic household expenses, educational costs for their children, and medical bills.
"We have exhausted all our savings and are now dependent on loans from relatives and friends," shared one emotionally drained teacher. "How does the government expect us to continue teaching when we can't even feed our families?"
Administrative Response and Empty Promises
Despite multiple representations to district administration officials and education department authorities, the staff claims they have received only empty assurances. The protestors allege that the government has failed to release the necessary grants to the aided schools, resulting in this prolonged salary crisis.
A senior education department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the issue but cited "procedural delays and bureaucratic hurdles" as the primary reasons for the salary deadlock.
Immediate Demands and Future Action
The protesting staff have presented a clear list of demands to the authorities:
- Immediate release of all pending salaries for seven months
- Clear timeline for regular salary disbursement going forward
- Government intervention to ensure aided schools receive timely grants
- Legal protection against any punitive actions for participating in protests
Warning of escalated protests, the staff representatives have indicated that if their demands aren't met within the coming days, they will intensify their agitation, potentially affecting academic activities in the affected schools.
Broader Implications for Education
This salary crisis threatens to disrupt the education of thousands of students across Jalandhar district. As the protest movement grows, parents and education activists have expressed concern about the potential impact on classroom teaching and the overall quality of education in government-aided institutions.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by aided school staff across Punjab and raises serious questions about the sustainability of the current funding model for these crucial educational institutions.
