Government school teachers in Rajasthan have announced a series of protests starting from May 14, citing the state government's indifference to their long-standing demands. The issues include delays in the transfer of Grade III teachers, excessive non-academic work, and a reduction in holidays.
Protest Schedule Announced
Teachers affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh addressed the media in Jaipur on Sunday. They stated that despite the government being in power for over two years, their problems remain unresolved due to the indifference of the state government and its officials.
Ramesh Pushkarna, the state president of the Mahasangh, outlined the protest schedule: a block-level protest on May 14, a district-level protest on May 29, a divisional-level sit-in and demonstration at the Bikaner Directorate on June 5, and a final sit-in and demonstration at the Jaipur divisional level on June 10. A memorandum of demands will be submitted during the final protest.
Key Grievances
Pushkarna criticized the reduction in summer vacations, calling it unscientific and contrary to the region's geographical conditions. He noted that Rajasthan's extreme summer heat historically dictated vacation schedules based on geographical factors.
Teachers also highlighted that despite thousands of vacancies in their home districts, they are being forcibly transferred to other districts. Qualified teachers are being deprived of the opportunity to serve in their own regions, leading to a shortage of teaching staff in schools.
Mahendra Lakhara, the general secretary of the association, pointed out another anomaly: while schools have been upgraded to 'Senior Secondary' status, financial sanction for corresponding teaching positions has not been issued. Consequently, school buildings bear the designation of Senior Secondary institutions but lack even a full complement of teachers at the Primary level.
