FEGOCTA's pay stir plan worries AMSU, PSU
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 23 2021: Pointing out that the student community is one of the sections of the society which has been worst affected by Covid-19 pandemic, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has urged FEGOCTA to ensure that the students are not affected by their strike demanding implementation of 7th UGC pay recommendations.

In a release, AMSU information and publicity secretary Wangkheimayum Rimakan recalled that during the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic, students were deprived of conventional education and the second wave has affected the student community even more drastically.

Experts have been cautioning that the failure to conduct normal classes and change in academic calendar might create a huge void in the knowledge system of the students, he added.

In such a situation, it is disheartening to learn that FEGOCTA, which is a teachers' association, is prepared to boycott conduct of online classes and examinations in pursuance of their demand for 7th UGC pay scale after a break, Rimakan maintained, while adding that the union considers FEGOCTA's demand as reasonable and is in tune with the changing time.

However, as the agitation will affect the career of the students who have been hit hard by the pandemic, the teachers should consider other form of protest that will not affect the students, he appealed.

Rimakan also urged the authorities concerned and the government to settle the long-time demands of the teachers at the earliest.

It seems that the authorities dilly-dallying on the issue has angered the teachers even more.

The longer the issue takes time for settlement, it is the students who would suffer even more, he added.

Demanding the government to settle the issue and to take a firm decision so as to save the career of students, Rimakan expressed hope that the teachers will adopt other form of protest that will not affect the careers of the students.

In another release, Pan-gal Students' Union (PSU) DMU has urged the government to translate into action assurance given to the teachers and resolve the issue without delay.

Stating that PSU supports the demand of FEGOCTA, the release, however, deplored the stand of FEGOCTA to boycott online classes and online exam if their demand is not met.

Boycotting of online class and online exam as a tool to achieve the demands of FEGOCTA will victimize the students, it noted and stressed that FEGOCTA should launch other form of protest.

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