Teachers warn Govt with series of stir
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 12 2011: Peeved with the prolonged indifferent attitude shown towards their demands by the State Government, All Manipur Aided Elementary Schools Un-Approved Teachers' Association is set to launch various forms of agitation, including self immolation, from November 15 .

The association today staged a sit-in-protest at Yumnam Khunou Aided Junior High School in Bishnupur district reiterating its demand for approval of unapproved teachers of 523 schools of the State.

Speaking to reporters, association finance secretary Takhellambam Ibochouba said, "If the Government fails take up any positive step regarding our demands within three days, (ie by November 15), the association will initiate different forms of intense agitations, including self immolation.

He further informed the reporters that the association would submit a memorandum in this regard to Chief Minister O Ibobi today.

Remembering that most of these 523 aided schools were established in 1960, Ibochouba said that the association was formed in 1985, since then the teachers have been demanding for Government approval through various forms of agitation.

He added that many teachers passed away while others got retirement before getting their long pending demand.

Ibochouba lamented that with exception to providing of grant with the approval of two teachers per school in 1980 and approval of another teacher per school in 1986, nothing has been done by the Government for the long suffered teachers so far.

In 1995, he said, the teachers moved the Court, however, the State Government never deliberated on the issue.

Ibochouba further said that the Government did not even heed to the directive of the Supreme Court.

Later, in the year 2000, following a Court directive, the Government formed a committee for the approval of teachers on phase-wise basis, he said and added that 106 posts of 68 schools were selected for the first phase approval.

Out these 68 schools, six were rejected with a promise to approve them after holding a Cabinet meeting, Ibochouba said.

He added that the promise has never been translated into action.

Again, in 2006 and 2007 as well, the Chief Minister assured the teachers to approve them, however, it has never been materialised, Ibochouba added.

Comment