The teachers’ day was observed as “black day” by about 40,000 teachers including head teachers, RMSA masters and those recruited in under erstwhile SSA scheme, in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
The aggrieved teachers boycotted an official function to participate in a protest to press for their demands at the city centre Lal Chowk, here.
As the proceedings of the official function on Teachers’ Day commenced at SKICC here, the protesting teachers were being cane charged by the police at the city centre. The JK Police also used colour water to disperse the protesting teachers.
The teachers were protesting under banner of J&K rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum (ReTTF) led by Farooq Ahmad Tantray.
The aggrieved teachers are demanding release of monthly salaries as per the provisions of 7th pay commissions and de-linking of their salary from MHRD funding.
Already, the teachers’ joint action committee (TJAC) an amalgamation of various forums of teachers is on indefinite hunger strike. The teachers are hitting streets to protest against the government for excluding SSA teachers, head teachers and RMSA masters from benefits of 7th pay commission.
“For us, the day (Teachers day) has lost its charm now. It doesn’t attract the attention of a teacher who otherwise is treated special on this occasion,” said a protesting teacher.
Meanwhile, the function at SKICC witnessed more participation of non-teaching staff of the department than teachers as the majority of the teaching community boycotted the event.
Few members associated with General line teachers’ forum were present at the occasion. Principals of schools, chief education officers were also present at the occasion.
Meanwhile, J&K Joint Coordination Committee of Private Schools (JKJCCPS) extended its support to the SSA teachers and urged government to fulfil their demands.