HRDD committee meets Ad-hoc teachers, but deadlock continues

NAMCHI, 29 Oct: The six-member committee set up by the Human Resource Development Department, to examine the grievances of ad-hoc teachers met with the representatives of ad-hoc teachers to understand their grievances in detail.
An official release informs that the Committee chaired by Special Secretary, HRDD, took note of the points raised by the ad-hoc teachers and assured sympathetic examination of the grievances raised by them. The issue of relaxation of norms for teacher eligibility test will also be considered after examining the provisions. A report will be submitted to the government accordingly.
In view of the hardships faced by the students, guardians and school management committees close to the forthcoming examinations, the ad-hoc teachers were requested to resume their duties in their respective schools.
However, when contacted, general secretary ASATWA, Asish Lepcha informed NOW! that they will continue the strike until the state government passes a resolution in the Legislative Assembly fulfilling their demands. ASATWA members have been on dharna in front of the East District Administration Centre for the past one week.
Meanwhile, All Sikkim Ad-hoc Teachers Welfare Association (ASATWA) held a meeting with members of All Sikkim B. Ed. Association and Ad-hoc Post Graduate Teachers Welfare Association [APGTWA] on 27 October at Marut Bhawan, Namchi, South Sikkim.
During the meeting, members of the All Sikkim B Ed. Association and Ad-hoc Post Graduate Teachers Welfare Association [APGTWA] expressed full support for the ad-hoc teachers on strike.
President ASATWA Prakash Sharma informed about their main demands regarding the removal of the annual extension system, 50% reservation in appointment of regular teachers, increase in salaries and other important demands placed by their association and teachers to the state government.
During the meeting it was also informed that on 26 October the members of the association also met with the Minister HRDD, NK Pradhan and placed their demands to him. The Minister assured to resolve their problems soon.